Patent ID: 6235036
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
An ear tag applicator including:a first jaw portion to engage a portion of an animal ear tag;a second jaw portion;first and second handle portions pivotally connected together 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 radially 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; said first jaw portion being caused to 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; said first jaw portion provided with an elongate pin to engage, in use, within a cavity of said portion of said ear tag, a longitudinal axis of the pin being angled forwardly of a longitudinal axis of the first jaw portion, such that with the radial movement of the first jaw portion, the pin is at a substantially 90.degree. angle relative to the second jaw portion as the tag portion engages with the animal's ear, the pin moving beyond said substantially 90.degree. position before the first jaw portion moves to its open position; and wherein the longitudinal axis of the pin passes behind a pivotal axis of the pin.