Ear tag applicator

Details Ear tag applicator Ear tag applicator

1999-05-14

2001-05-22

Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)

Surgery

Instruments

Means for applying animal identification device

Reexamination Certificate

active

06235036

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ear tag applicator for the application of ear tags to animals such as cattle and the like for identification.
A number of ear tag applicators are already well-known in the art and disclosed in various patent specifications. When considering those that relate to applicators for the placement of two-piece ear tags, a variety of methods have been sought for releasing the ear tag once applied. The simplest versions are plier type applicators in which the handles are biased away from each other so that the jaws pivot to an open position as the handles similarly pivot away from each other to release the ear tag. If the animal should move while this is taking place, damage can be caused to the animal's ear. With the handles requiring manual closing, the biasing means cannot open the jaws of the applicator until the user releases pressure on the handles and this creates some delay.
To overcome this problem, various applicators for two-piece ear tags have provided pins engaging the male portion of the tag which can release from the male tag. Such mechanisms are not always reliable and there is a tendency for the pin to become locked into engagement with the male tag once it has engaged with the female tag when the animal pulls away jamming the jaws of the applicator.
The present invention will be particularly described with respect to two piece ear tags which will be referred to as comprising a male and a female tag for simplicity, although these together form part of a single tag. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention could be readily used with a single piece ear tag where the animal's ear provides the resistance to the tag pulling out.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an animal ear tag applicator which will overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an animal ear tag applicator comprising:
a first jaw portion to engage a portion of an animal ear tag;
a second jaw portion;
first and second handle portions to move said first and second jaw portions such that movement of said first handle portion with respect to said second handle portion drives the first and second jaw portions towards each other to engage said portion of said ear tag with an animal's ear;
biasing means to bias said jaw portions to an open position; and
wherein said first jaw portions can move under the action of the biasing means to an open position independently of said handle portions but only after the portion of the ear tag has fully engaged with the animal's ear.
Preferably said first jaw portion is provided with an elongate engagement means to engage within a cavity of said portion of said ear tag.
Preferably said elongate engagement means is adapted to move outwardly from said first jaw portion in response to a force transverse to said elongate engagement means.
Preferably said elongate engagement means is pivotally connected to said first jaw portion or has some flexibility to allow at least partial rotation of said elongate engagement means outwardly from said applicator.
Preferably said first jaw portion is disconnected from corresponding motion with said handle portions only after said portion of the ear tag has fully engaged with the animal's ear such that said first jaw portion may rotate about a common pivot axis to said open position independently of said handle portions.
Further aspects of this invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3812859 (1974-05-01), Murphy et al.
patent: 4120303 (1978-10-01), Villa-Massone et al.
patent: 4368735 (1983-01-01), Filmer
patent: 4531520 (1985-07-01), Reggers et al.
patent: 4672966 (1987-06-01), Hass, Jr.
patent: 4716899 (1988-01-01), Huenefeld et al.
patent: 5154721 (1992-10-01), Perez
patent: 5462554 (1995-10-01), Gardner
patent: 2840268 (1980-03-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Ear tag applicator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Ear tag applicator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ear tag applicator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2483616