Ear tag

An animal ear tag comprising a flat identification area having a pair of flat supporting arms or straps extending therefrom in a parallel spaced-apart relationship and adapted to receive the animal's ear therebetween. Each of the supporting arms has an opening formed therein adjacent the end thereof which are adapted to receive a pin extending through the openings and the animal's ear positioned therebetween to maintain the tag on the animal's ear. The flat identification area has a peripheral visual acuity border formed thereon spaced inwardly from the periphery thereof which has the same color as the identifying indicia on the identification area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Animal ear tags are commonly secured to an animal's ear to aid in the 
identification thereof. Many types of ear tags have been previously 
disclosed but have many shortcomings. One of the disadvantages of the 
prior animal ear tags is that the identification numbers thereon are 
difficult to read. A further disadvantage in certain of the prior devices 
is that a dagger-like device is employed to pierce the animal's ear with 
the tag then being extended through the opening formed n the animal's ear. 
The subsequent use of the dagger-like device on other animals creates the 
possibility of spreading infection from one animal to another unless the 
dagger-like device is sterilized between each animal. 
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved 
animal ear tag. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide an animal ear tag 
having identifying indicia on both sides thereof. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide an animal ear tag 
which has a peripheral visual acuity border formed thereon extending 
around the periphery of the identification area. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide an animal ear tag 
including novel means for securing the same to the animal's ear. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide an animal ear tag 
including attachment means which prevents the spread of infection from one 
animal to another. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide an animal ear tag 
which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in 
appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The animal ear tag disclosed herein comprises a flat identification area 
having a pair of spaced-apart straps or arms extending from one end 
thereof in a parallel spaced-apart relationship. The outer ends of the 
straps are provided with openings formed therein. A retainer disc is 
secured to one of the supporting arms and has an opening formed therein 
adapted to receive a pin extending through the other supporting arm and 
the animal's ear. The pin not only provides the means for securing the tag 
to the animal's ear but also creates the opening in the animal's ear as 
the pin is attached. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The ear tag of this invention is referred to generally by the reference 
numerl 10 and comprises a flat identification member or area 12 having 
opposite sides 14 and 16. A pair of spaced-apart supporting arms or straps 
18 and 20 extend from identification member 12 as seen in the drawings and 
are provided with openings 22 and 24 adjacent the ends thereof. As seen in 
the drawings, the ends of the supporting arms 18 and 20 are provided with 
enlarged circular portions. 
The numeral 26 refers generally to a retainer disc which is comprised of 
disc members 28 and 30. Disc member 28 is flat and is provided with a 
central opening 32 formed therein. Disc 28 is positioned above (as viewed 
in the drawings) the supporting arm 18 so that opening 32 registers with 
opening 22. Disc member 30 is comprised of an upper cup-shaped portion 34 
having an annular ring 36 extending downwardly therefrom. Cup-shaped 
portion 34 has an opening 38 formed in the side thereof which receives 
supporting arm 18. Portion 34 also is provided with a central opening 40 
which registers with opening 22. The retainer disc 26 is secured to the 
supporting arm 18 by positioning disc member 28 above supporting arm 18 
and positioning disc member 38 below supporting arm 18 so that supporting 
arm 18 extends through the side opening 38. The disc members 28 and 30 and 
the supporting arm 18 are then sonically welded together so that the 
retainer will remain on the supporting arm 18. 
The numeral 42 refers to the pin having a flat disc member 44 and a shank 
portion 46 extending therefrom. Shank portion 46 is provided with a 
diamond-shaped ear piercing portion 48 on the lower end thereof. Shank 
portion 48 is also provided with a slightly enlarged retainer portion 50 
positioned above the ear piercing portion 48. The diameter of retainer 
portion 50 is slightly greater than the diameter of central opening 40 of 
disc member 30 to enable the retainer portion 50 to be forced through the 
central opening 40 during the attachment process with the retainer portion 
50 then preventing the inadvertent removal of the pin from the tag and 
ear. 
The tag is secured to the animal's ear by positioning the supporting arms 
18 and 20 on opposite sides of the animal's ear. A tagging pliers such as 
disclosed in the co-pending application simultaneously filed herewith 
entitled AN ANIMAL TAG PLIERS is employed to force the pin 42 through the 
animal's ear. The pin 42 is extended through the opening 24 in supporting 
arm 20 and forced through the animal's ear until the retainer portion 50 
"snaps" through the central opening 40 in disc member 30. The pin 46 not 
only maintains the tag on the animal's ear but also creates the opening in 
the animal's ear. Since the tagging pliers do not come into contact with 
the animal's ear, the spread of infection is prevented from one animal to 
another. 
Identifying indicia is positioned on both sides of the identification area 
12 so that the tag may be read from either the front or rear of the 
animal. Preferably, a visual acuity border 52 is provided on both sides of 
the identification area spaced inwardly from the periphery thereof as 
illustrated in the drawings. The border 52 has the same color as the 
identification indicia thereon and it has been found that the use of the 
border aids in reading the animal tag. 
Preferably, the tag is comprised of polyurethane while the pin 42 and 
retainer disc 26 are comprised of a nylon material. 
Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated 
objectives.