AUTOMATIC RETURN HAND TOOL FOR APPLYING EAR TAGS

Abstract: A hand tool for applying ear tags to animals is provided with an automatic return so that with a single motion arms (8, 9) bearing a slot (21) and an applicator blade (22) are pivoted together so that the applicator blade bearing an ear tag pierces and installs in an animal's ear, and identification ear tag; and the arms, having accomplished their purpose, immediately automatically withdraw by pivoting away from each other, thereby minimizing injury to the animal's ear. The device is particularly adaptable to use with one-piece ear tags.

Description: AUTOMATIC RETURN HAND TOOL FOR APPLYING EAR TAGS Background Of The Invention This invention relates to hand tools. More parti- cularly, this invention relates to hand tools having an automatic return mechanism, by means of which a single compression of a pair of handles causes an applicator arm of the tool to pivot initially toward an anvil arm of the tool, and to subsequently withdraw from the anvil arm. The inven- tion has been devised particularly, although not solely, for use as an ear tag applicator for piercing the ear of an animal and inserting an identification tag, commonly known as an ear tag. The difficulty inherent in conventional ear tag applicators is that as soon as the ear of an animal is pierced, the animal, as a result of the pain of its ear being pierced, may start to move so that the ear maintained by the applicator may be torn, or the operator may be injured by the reacting animal. Furthermore, if the operator does not have time to disengage the applicator, the animal can escape from the operator with an ear tag applicator hooked to its ear. Also, with many conventional ear tag applicators, the operator is required to-make a stabbing motion with a sharp, pointed tool held in one hand, toward the animal's ear held in the other hand, and may easily injure himself or the animal. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hand tool having an automatic return mechanism, such that a single pivoting movement of the handles towards each other, causes in the arms of the hand tool to first pivot toward each other to pierce the ear of the animal and insert an ear tag; and then to immediately recoil, separating the arms of the hand tool, and preventing the animal from tearing its ear or escaping with the hand tool. A device having some of the advantages of the pre- sent invention is shown in Villa-Massone et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,120,303, issued October 17, 1978. As compared to the Villa-Massone invention, however, the present invention has advantages of simplicity of construction and operation. Moreover, the device of the present invention is readily adapted for use with one-piece ear tags, as hereinafter described. Summary Of The Invention There is provided, according to the present inven¬ tion, a hand tool comprising: (a) central pivot means; (b) a pair of handles, each pivotable about the central pivot means; (c) an anvil arm, affixed to a first one of the handles so as to lie opposite, with respect to the pivot means, to the handle which it is affixed; (d) an applicator arm, lying opposite with respect to the pivot means to the second handle, the applicator arm being positioned to coact with the anvil arm, and being pivot- able independently of the anvil arm and handle; (e) releasable interconnecting means for connectin the applicator arm to the second handle, such that the appli¬ cator arm pivots in concert with the second handle when interconnected, during a first part of the distance through which the handles are pivoted toward each other, so as to move the arms toward each other; (f) automatic interconnecting release means for releasing the applicator arm from the second handle, to allo independent pivoting of the applicator arm and the second handle, activated at a predetermined position of the first handle with respect to the second handle, to allow the appli cator arm to pivot independently of the second handle, durin a second part of the distance the handles are pivoted toward each other; and (g) arm separation means for pivoting the appli- cator arm away from the anvil arm, upon activation of the release means. Brief Description Of The Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a hand tool, constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the applicator arm of the device of the present invention, for use in the device illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 3 is a plan view of. an applicator arm handle for use in the device illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a view of a preferred blade, as viewed along lines 5-5 of Figure 1. Figure 6 is an illustration of a conventional one-piece ear tag, which can be inserted by means of the present invention. Figure 7 is an elevation view of the ear tag of Figure 6, installed in the ear of an animal. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is an illustration showing how the ear tag of Figure 6 can be releasably attached to the blade and applicator arm for installation in an animal's ear. OMPI Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, a preferred hand tool embodying the present invention is constructed as follows. An anvil arm handle 1 and an applicator arm handle 2 are each pivotable about the central pivot means, which is most conveniently a shaft 5, which is provided with retaining rings 6. Alternatively, the various parts could be stamped so that a portion of one part pivots about a distended por¬ tion of another part. Lying opposite, with respect to the shaft 5, to a first one of the handles (termed anvil arm handle 1) is an anvil arm 8 which is affixed to or integral with anvil arm handle 1 so as to be incapable of pivoting independently of the anvil arm handle 1. Lying opposite, with respect to the shaft 5, to the second handle (termed applicator arm handle 2) is an applicator arm 9 which is positioned to coact with the anvil arm 8, and is pivotable independently of the anvil arm 8 and handles 1 and 2. The tool is also provided with releasable inter¬ connecting means for connecting the applicator arm 9 to the applicator arm handle 2, such that the applicator arm 9 pivots in concert with the applicator arm handle 2, when interconnected, during the first part of the distance through which the handles are pivoted toward each other, so as to move the arms 8 and 9 toward each other. Preferably the interconnecting means between the applicator arm 9 and the applicator arm handle 2 comprises a trigger release shoulder 10 of applicator arm 9 and a trigger release 12 mounted on applicator arm handle 2, the trigger release 12 being engageable with trigger release shoulder 10 to hold the applicator arm 9 in substantially fixed disposition to the applicator arm handle 2. The trigger release 12 is preferably pivotably mounted on applicator arm handle 2 by means of a trigger pivot pin 13, which also holds trigger spring 14. The interconnecting release means preferably comprises a part of anvil arm handle 1 or more preferably, trigger activating means such as protrusion 16 which is so constructed and positioned that when handles 1 and 2 are closed to within a predetermined position relative to each other, protrusion 16 engages a surface 17 of the trigger release 12, causing the trigger release 12 to pivot and forcing the shoulder-engaging part 18 of trigger release 12 from engagement with shoulder 10, thereby freeing applicator arm 9 from applicator arm handle 2, and allowing applicator arm 9 to withdraw from anvil arm 8. The trigger spring 14, conversely, urges the trigger release 12 into trigger release shoulder 10 when the protrusion 16 is not engaging the trigger release 12, and the trigger release 12 and trigger release shoulder 10 are aligned. The protrusion 16 is preferably mounted adjustably, for example, being a set screw which is provided with a slot so that it may be turned easily within nuts 19 which hold it on handle 1, whereby to vary the length of the stroke neces- sary to engage the trigger release 12. The tool is also provided with arm separation means for pivoting the applicator arm 9 away from the anvil arm 8, upon activation of the trigger release 12 by protrusion 16. The arm separation means is preferably a spring 20. Anvil arm handle 1, anvil arm 8, applicator arm handle 2, applicator arm 9 and spring 20 are all held in fixed relationship by shaft 5 and retaining rings 6 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Although the parts as viewed in FIG. 4 may be arranged in any order, it has been found preferable for the applicator arm 9 to be innermost with applicator arm portions 9a and 9b adjacent spring 20; for applicator arm handle 2 to be next, see portions 2a and 2b; for anvil arm 8 to be next, see portions 8a and 8b; and for anvil arm handle 1 to b ' e outermost, next to retaining rings 6, see portions la and lb. For use as an ear tag applicator, it is preferable to provide anvil arm 8 with a slot 21, and to provide piercing means such as an applicator blade 22 (suitably held by applicator blade bracket 23) to applicator arm 9. The blade 22 is so constructed and positioned that a portion of the blade 22 moves into the slot 21 when handles 1 and 2 and arms 8 and 9 are pivoted together. The blade 22 is prefer¬ ably arcuate, having the shaft 5 as its center. A side guard 24 can be provided to protect the operator and animal when the arms are separated; and a second guard (not shown) can be mounted on the anvil arm 8 to protect the operator and animal when the arms 8 and 9 are closed, and blade 22 protrudes through slot 21. Rotation of the applicator arm 9 away from the anvil arm 8 is limited by an abutment 25 on the anvil arm 8 against which the shoulder 26 of the applicator arm 9 engages. The blade 22 is an ear-piercing and tag-locating mechanism, having a sharp end portion as illustrated in FIG. 5. The blade 22 is preferably provided with a hook 27, and tabs 28 can be provided on the blade 22 or blade bracket 23 for releasably attaching an ear tag, to be installed within the hole pierced by the blade 22. Preferably, the tool .is used with a one-piece ear tag, such as illustrated in FIG. 6. The tag, generally indicated by reference numeral 40, is of a flexible plastic material, and is further described and shown in J.T. Schwindt et al. U.S. Patent 3,979,847 and U.S. Design Patent No. 241,558. The tag 40 has an identification or indicia-bearing portion 44 which is connected to a relatively narrow neck 46. In this embodiment, the neck 46 has an angular bend 48 of about 90°, so that a short portion of the neck 46 passes through the ear 42, while the remainder of the tag hangs downwardly, as shown in FIG. 8. Attached to the end of the neck 46 opposite the identification portion 44 is an elon¬ gated ear-engaging flap 50 which is connected to the end of the neck 46 to form an overall T-shape. The ear-engaging flap 50 has an aperture 52 which is adapted to engage the hook 27 on blade 22 as hereinafter described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the tag 40 is positioned in the ear 42, OT-..PI it is held in place on opposite sides of the ear by the ear-engaging flap 50 and the portion of the neck 46 below the angular bend 48. The manner of positioning the tag 40 on the blade 22 is shown in FIG 9. The aperture 52 is positioned over the hook 27 on blade 22, while the shoulders 54 and 55 are placed over the tabs 28. The aperture 52 preferably has an inclined forward edge in order to provide more positive engagement with the hook 27 when the flap 50 is passed through the ear 42 of an animal. The applicator arm 8 is rotated so that the shoulder 10 is engaged by part 18 of the trigger release 12. The handles 1 and 2 are then caused to move towards each other by pressure of the hand on the handles, with the animal's ear between slot 21 and blade 22. As a result, the blade 22 pierces the ear and the ear tag 40 is carried through the ear of the animal. This fixes the ear tag 40 in the ear of the animal. As the closing motion of handles 1 and 2 is continued, the shoulder-engaging part 18 (as best shown in FIG. 3) of trigger release part 12 is held against shoulder 10 until pressure from protrusion 16 on surface 17 pivots trigger release 12 to free the shoulder-engaging part 18 from shoulder 10. When this happens, the spring 20 will cause immediate positive retraction of the applicator arm 9 from the anvil arm 8. Thus, with a single unidirec¬ tional closing motion of handles 1 and 2, the applicator arm 9 is first urged towards anvil arm 8 because applicator arm 9 is fixed to handle 2 by the trigger release 12 being engaged against shoulder 10; but when the shoulder-engaging part 18 is freed from the shoulder 10 by the action of pro¬ trusion 16, the applicator arm 9 is freed from the handle 2 and withdrawn from the anvil arm 8 by action of the spring 20. If desired, the tool of the present invention may also be easily adjusted to install two-piece ear tags, such as those shown in Murphy et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,371,414. It will be seen that by the foregoing construc¬ tion, a very simple insertion and automatic withdrawal motion of applicator arm 9 and blade 22 is produced. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as set forth herein will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A hand tool comprising: (a) central pivot means; (b) a pair of handles, each pivotable about the central pivot means; (c) an anvil arm, affixed to a first one of the handles so as to lie opposite, with respect to the pivot means, to the handle which it is affixed; (d) an applicator arm, lying opposite with respect to the pivot means, to the second handle, the applicator arm being positioned to coact with the anvil arm and being pivot¬ able independently of the anvil arm and handles; (e) releasable interconnecting means for connect- ing the applicator arm to the second handle such that the applicator arm pivots in concert with the second handle when interconnected, during a first part of the distance through which the handles are pivoted towards each other, so as to move the arms toward each other; (f) automatic interconnecting release means for releasing the applicator arm from the second handle to allow independent pivoting of the applicator arm and the second handle, activated at a predetermined position of the first handle with respect to the second handle, to allow the applicator arm to pivot independently of the second handle, during the second part of the distance the handles are pivoted towards each other; and (g) arm separation means for pivoting the appli¬ cator arm away from the anvil arm, upon activation of the release means. 2. A hand tool according to Claim 1, wherein the hand tool is an ear tag applicator. 3. A hand tool according to Claim 2, wherein one of the arms is provided with a slot and the other of the arms is provided with piercing means, a portion of which piercing means moves into the slot when the arms are pivoted together. 4. A hand tool according to Claim 3, in which the applicator arm is provided with piercing means and the anvil arm is provided with a slot. 5. A hand tool according to Claim 4, wherein the piercing means is arcuate, having as the center of the arc, the pivot means about which the handles and arms pivot. 6. A hand tool according to Claim 5, wherein the piercing means and the arm on which the piercing means is mounted are provided with means for releasably attaching an ear tag to be inserted within a hole pierced in an animal's ear by the blade. 7. A hand tool according to Claim 6, having a one-piece ear tag releasably attached thereto. 8. A hand tool according to Claim 1, wherein the interconnecting means between the applicator arm and the second handle is a trigger release shoulder on the applicator arm and a trigger release on the second handle, the trigger release being engageable with the shoulder to hold the applicator arm in substantially fixed disposition with respect to the second handle. 9. A hand tool according to Claim 8, wherein the trigger release is pivotably mounted on the second handle and the interconnecting release means comprises a part of the first handle or a member associated with the first handle, so constructed and positioned that the release means engages a part of the trigger release when the handles are closed to within a predetermined position relative to each other, causing the trigger release to pivot to withdraw from the trigger release shoulder on the anvil arm. ^T_l£- 10. A hand tool according to Claim 9, wherein the trigger release is provided with a spring, urging the trigge release into the trigger release shoulder when the inter¬ connecting release means is not engaging the trigger release, and the trigger release and trigger release shoulder are aligned. 11. A hand tool according to Claim 10, wherein the interconnecting release means is adjustable to vary the length of stroke necessary for the interconnecting release means to engage the trigger release.. 12. A hand tool according to Claim 1, wherein the arm separation means is a spring. _ OM?

Inventors: LYND MALCOLM NORMAN, LYND, MALCOLM, NORMAN
Applicants: Y TEX CORP, Y-TEX CORPORATION
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11