RFID tag insertion cartridge and an RFID tag insertion tool

Disclosed herein is an RFID tag insertion cartridge comprising a hollow needle in which an RFID tag is disposed. The cartridge comprises an optional housing in the form of a shell that is shown transparently. The cartridge comprises a carriage that is movably mounted and to which the hollow needle is attached for withdrawing the needle. Also disclosed herein is a RFID tag insertion tool.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein generally relates to an RFID tag insertion cartridge and an RFID tag insertion tool.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags can be implanted in an animal for identifying the animal, for example. The procedure to implant the RFID tag may require two highly skilled persons and can take many minutes to complete. An easier way to implant RFID tags that can be performed by less skilled persons quickly and safely is desirable.

SUMMARY

Disclosed hererin is an RFID tag insertion cartridge. The RFID tag insertion cartridge comprises a hollow needle in which an RFID tag is disposed. The RFID tag insertion cartridge comprises a carriage that is movably mounted and to which the hollow needle is attached for withdrawing the needle. The RFID tag insertion cartridge comprises a stop pin disposed in the hollow needle for stopping an inward movement of the RFID tag when the needle is withdrawn and so eject the RFID tag.

An embodiment comprises a fitting for removable attachment to an RFID tag insertion tool operable to move the carriage. The fitting may be configured for uniquely orientating the RFID insertion cartridge with respect to the RFID tag insertion tool when attached thereto. The fitting may comprise at least one of a plurality of different diameter radial pins and a plurality of different width slots for receiving the plurality of different diameter radial pins. The fitting may comprise a bayonet fitting.

In an embodiment, an end of the stop pin is for abutting the RFID tag. Another end of the stop pin may comprise a hook.

In an embodiment, the carriage comprises a proximal end configured to be engagingly received by a distal end of the fitting for retaining the needle within the housing when so withdrawn.

An embodiment comprises a housing comprising a linear bearing surface in contact with a plurality of protruding linear bearing pads of the carriage.

Disclosed herein is an RFID tag insertion tool. The RFID tag insertion tool comprises an actuator that is user operable and a transmission assembly operationally coupled to the actuator. The transmission assembly comprises a coupler configured to couple to an RFID insertion cartridge and when so coupled transmit movement of the actuator to a needle of the RFID tag insertion cartridge. The RFID tag insertion tool comprises a biasing element arranged to inwardly bias the coupler.

In an embodiment, the transmission assembly comprises a displacement multiplier. The displacement multiplier may comprise a pinion arranged to move with the actuator. The displacement multiplier comprises a fixed rack and a translatably mounted rack that meshes with the pinion.

An embodiment comprises a housing in which the fixed rack is fixed.

An embodiment comprises a user releasable catch for outwardly retaining the coupling.

An embodiment comprises a fitting for removable attachment of the RFID tag insertion tool. The fitting may be configured for uniquely orientating the RFID insertion cartridge with respect to the RFID tag insertion tool when attached thereto. The fitting may comprise at least one of a plurality of different diameter radial pins and a plurality of different width slots for receiving the plurality of different diameter radial pins. The fitting may comprise a bayonet fitting.

Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an RFID tag insertion cartridge (“cartridge”) generally indicated by the numeral10. The cartridge10comprises a hollow needle12in which an RFID tag is disposed (and so hidden from view). The cartridge10comprises an optional housing16in the form of a shell that is shown transparently. The cartridge10comprises a carriage14that is movably mounted and to which the hollow needle12is attached for withdrawing the needle.FIG. 2shows a top view of the carriage14and needle12attached thereto. The cartridge10comprises a stop pin18disposed in the hollow needle12for stopping an inward movement of the RFID tag when the needle12is withdrawn and so eject the RFID tag.

The RFID tag insertion cartridge10comprising a fitting20for removable attachment to an RFID tag insertion tool operable to move the carriage14.FIG. 3shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an RFID tag insertion tool100.FIG. 4shows a perspective view of the RFID tag insertion cartridge10attached to the RFID tag insertion tool100.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7respectively show an end-on view, a perspective view and a side view of the fitting20. The fitting20is configured for uniquely orientating the RFID insertion cartridge10with respect to the RFID tag insertion tool100when attached thereto. The fitting20comprises a plurality of different diameter radial pins22,24that are received by a plurality of different width slots defined by the RFID insertion tools100. In an alternative embodiment, the fitting20defines the slots and the RFID insertion tool comprises the radial pins. The fitting2—comprises a bayonet fitting, but in alternative embodiment may comprise a screw fitting or generally any suitable form of fitting.

An end of the stop pin18is disposed in the hollow needle12(and so hidden) for abutting the RFID tag therein. Another end26of the stop pin18comprises a hook.

The carriage14comprises a proximal end28configured to be engagingly received by the distal end30of the fitting20for retaining the needle12within the shell when so withdrawn. The proximal end28is received into at least one slot32defined by the fitting20. When so received, a friction fit between the proximal end28of the carriage14and the distal end of the fitting20holds the needle to the fitting. The proximal end28of the carriage14comprises at least one, and in this embodiment a plurality of friction elements38in the form of side-wall engaging protrusions40,42for the frictional fit.

In this but not all embodiments, the housing12comprises a linear bearing surface34in contact with the carriage14. In an alternative embodiment, the housing may be replaced with a cage or framework with the linear bearing. In yet another embodiment, the linear bearing surface34may be replaced with a roller bearing, or generally any suitable form of bearing.

FIG. 8shows an exploded perspective view of the RFID tag insertion tool100(“the tool”). The tool100is, in this embodiment, in the form of a handheld RFID tag insertion tool100, however it may not be handheld in an alternative embodiment. The tool may be configured to sit on a bench, for example. The tool100comprises an actuator102in the form of a button that can be inwardly depressed by a user. The tool100comprises a transmission assembly104operationally coupled to the actuator102. The transmission100assembly comprising a coupler106configured to couple to the carriage14of the RFID insertion cartridge10and when so coupled transmit movement of the actuator102to the needle12of the RFID tag insertion cartridge10. The tool100comprises a biasing element108in the form of a compression spring108arranged to inwardly bias the coupler106. The coupler106is attached to an end of a shaft110. The shaft is disposed within the compression spring108. One end of the compression spring108contacts a circlip124attached to the shaft110. Another end of the compression spring contacts a spring seat126in the form of a housing bulkhead attached to the interior of the housing120.

The transmission assembly104comprises a displacement multiplier110in the form of a displacement doubler110. The displacement multiplier110comprises a translatably mounted pinion104operationally coupled to the actuator102(in this embodiment attached to by way of an axle attached to the actuator102and around which the pinion rotates). The translatably mounted pinion114meshes with a fixed rack116best seen inFIG. 9and a translatably mounted rack that abuts the shaft, however in an alternative embodiment the translatable mounted rack is attached to the shaft. The fixed rack is a rack fixed to a housing120of the tool100. A linear displacement of the actuator102results in twice the linear displacement of the coupler106. The rack and pinion arrangement described can be cascaded to further multiply the displacement of the coupling106with respect of the actuator102. Generally, any suitable form of multiplier, for example a pulley system or gear box, may be used.

FIG. 10shows a mechanism of the tool100. The tool100comprises a user releasable catch122for outwardly retaining the coupling. The catch122is biased towards the shaft110by a biasing element132in the form of a leaf spring. A pin130extending outwardly from the shaft110is arranged to ride over a ramp134and catch behind a back face thereof. A user depressing a button135operationally coupled to the ramp is operated by the user to move the catch122away from the shaft110and release the pin130. The compression spring108is then able to move the shaft110and coupler106inwardly which in turn withdraws the needle12.

In use, the user attaches the cartridge10to the tool100and operates the actuator102in the form of the button by moving it inwardly until the catch122catches on the pin130. The user then inserts the needle12into an animal. The user then releases the catch122by pressing button134resulting in the withdrawal of the needle into the housing16and so deposit the RFID tag. The needle12is then withdrawn leaving the RFID tag within the animal.

FIG. 11shows an end perspective view of the housing120of the RFID tag insertion tool100, showing a fitting138for removable attachment of the RFID tag insertion tool, comprising circumferential slots for receiving the pins22,24of the cartridge10. The fitting138is configured for uniquely orientating the RFID insertion cartridge10with respect to the RFID tag insertion tool100when attached thereto. The fitting138comprises a plurality of different width slots for receiving the plurality of different diameter radial pins. The fitting138comprises a bayonet fitting.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.