APPARATUS FOR FIXING IDENTIFICATION TAGS ON ANIMALS

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for fixing identification tags on animals, composed of two symmetric parallel sections (P1, P2), each of which has, in its central part, a gap (4), both sections (1, 2) being connected to each other by means of rectangular metal strips (8) that have the same form, overlapping and crosswise to each other, these being connected by a pin (9) which carries a spring (10) the ends (10a) of which are fixed to pins (11) which connect the metal strip (8) to the corresponding section of the apparatus in a rotatable manner, mentioned metal strips (8) having, at their opposite ends, "L"-­ shaped gaps (13) which have pins (14) perpendicular to the sides of the corresponding section, that go through mentioned sides, and are fixed to the sides in such a manner as to, when the two sections (1, 2) close upon closing the handle ends of the appara­ tus (1), the tag is closed, at which instant the corresponding pins reach the juncture of the two sides of the "L"-shaped gap (13), the pin afterwards proceeding up the shorter leg of the "L"-shaped gap (13) as pressure is maintained on the handles (5), re­ sulting in the pincer end of the apparatus to open and facili­ tate the removal of the tag while the handle ends (5) remain closed.

Description: The present invention refers to an apparatus for fixing identification tags on animals. This apparatus is of the pincer type, which carry means for placing the tag on one side and fixing said tag on the ear of the animal, said tag carrying any characteristic or numbering which corresponds to the animal. From French patent no. 2345913, and its certificate of addition no. 2371139, apparatus of the type under consideration, i.e., having a fast disengaging system once the tag has been attached and without having to again use the handles of the apparatus, are already known. Nevertheless, these cases include a rachet and spring system with a corresponding arrester or stop piece. The apparatus of this invention, which is of the pincer type, is composed of two sections or "arms" which have, in their central part, longitudinal gaps, mentioned gaps being connected to each other by metal strips crosswise to each other and interconnected to each other in an overlapping position by a pin situated in their center, one end of each strip on the same side, close to the handle of the apparatus, rotating on their axis within the gap due to having corresponding fixed axis of rotation, while the two other opposed ends have, at their extremities, a channel or cut that is "L"-shaped, the internal angle of which is a right angle while the external part is rounded . Each of the "L"-shaped channels has a pin which is located so that, upon rotation of the strips, said strips travel along the longer section of the corresponding "L"-shaped channel with the help of the pin and also the tension of a spring mounted on the central pin of the strips and their rotating ends mentioned above. When both pins of the "L"-shaped channel are at the juncture of the two legs of the "L", the tag closes and is fixed, and the pins travel to the other or shorter leg of the "L"-shaped channel, resulting in the opening of the taging end of the apparatus while its opposite ends, corresponding to the handle, remain closed. The Apparatus of the pincer type according to this invention as claimed in claim 1 for fixing identification tags on animals, comprises two symmetric elongate section; two elongate susbtantially rectangular metal strips each having the same form and comprising a pivot-end; both sections and both strips being arranged parallel to a common plane; said sections having front ends for the holding and closing of identification tags; said sections being connected to each other by means of said strips; a respective pivot-pin being fixed to each section perpendicular to said common plane for connecting a respective one of said pivot-ends to said section of the apparatus in a rotatable manner; said strips being pivotally connected to each other in an overlapping and crosswise manner by a central pin which carries a spring comprising two spring-ends; said apparatus being provided at its end opposite to said front ends with two handles; two guide-pins each of which extends perpendicularly to said common plane through a respective guide channel extending parallel to said plane; wherein the apparatus is so arranged that when pressing the handles together the two said sections, while staying parallel, approach each other until they touch in order to close a tag, thereafter as pressure is maintained in the handles, the front ends open and remain open while the handles remain closed, to facilitate the removal of the closed tag from the front ends, said apparatus being characterised by each said section comprising two faces substantially parallel to said common plane, a longitudinal gap being provided in the central part of each section between said faces; each said spring-end being fixed to a respective said pivot-pin; each said section being provided a respective one of said two handles; each said pivot-pin being fixed to a respective said section adjacent aid handle; each said strip comprising said respective guide channel at the end opposite to said pivot-end; each said guide-pin being fixed to a respective said section adjacent said front end, said guide-pin extending from one said face to the other through said longitudinal gap therebetween; each said channel being substantially "L"-shaped, the longer leg of said "L"-shaped channel being positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said strip, the shorter leg joining the longer leg at the end thereof closer to said pivot-end and being directed away from the centreline of the apparatus; each said strip being at least partly located in a respective said longitudinal gap where said guide-pin extends through said "L"-shaped channel; wherein the apparatus is so arranged that when pressing the handles together, each guide-pin passes along the longer leg of the channel, and the two said sections, while staying parallel, approach each other until they touch in order to close a tag, at which instant both guide-pins reach the junctures of the legs of the "L"-shaped channels, thereafter as pressure is maintained on the handles the guide-pins pass up the shorter legs of the "L"-shaped channels, causing the front ends to open and remain open while the handles remain closed. In order to better understand not only the construction of the apparatus of this invention, but also how same operates, following is an example of a possible modality of the apparatus, however understanding that this is simply an example and should in no manner serve as a limitation of the invention as claimed, the example corresponding to the enclosed drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view of the apparatus in an open position, with the tag naturally still being divided in 2 sections or parts. Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus in a closed position, consequently with both sections of the tag united. Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus similar to that of Figure 2, but with the front end in an open position and the tag already closed. The apparatus 1 shown in all the figures is of the pincer type, composed of two sections 2 and 3, each of which has a gap 4 in its central section, both gaps facing each other, while each section has, at one end, a handle 5. Section 2 has a protrusion or projection 6 in its front end while section 3 has, in the same extremity, an indenture 7 in which one section of the tag P₁ is placed, while the other section P₂ of the tag is placed on protrusion 6. Sections 2 and 3 are connected by two rectangular metal strips 8, which have the same form, are placed one on top of the other and crosswise to each other, connected one to the other at their center by means of a pin/center of rotation 9 on which a spring 10 is mounted, the ends 10a of which are fixed to pins 11 which serve as pivoting points for the ends 12 of each metal strip with regard to corresponding sections 2 and 3. In like manner, each metal strip has, at its opposite end, an "L"-shaped channel 13 which allows the connection of each metal strip 8 with a pin 14 which is fixedly mounted on on each section 2 and 3. Upon closing the apparatus, with the corresponding fixing of the tag, see figure 2, each metal strip 8 moving along its corresponding longitudinal part of the channel 13, each of the mentioned channels 13 has its angle 15 facing the corresponding pin 14. From this moment onward, and upon continued application of pressure on the handle, the metal strips 8 rotate and the pins 14 travel along towards the end of the shorter leg of the "L"-shaped channel 13, at which time the apparatus takes the position shown in Figure 3, i.e., open position but with the handle end closed, which helps in the removal of the tag from the tip of the apparatus.

Claims: Apparatus of the pincer type for fixing identification tags on animals, comprising two symmetric elongate section (2, 3); two elongate susbtantially rectangular metal strips (8) each having the same form and comprising a pivot-end (12); both sections (2, 3) and both strips (8) being arranged parallel to a common plane; said sections having front ends (6, 7) for the holding and closing of identification tags (P1, P2); said sections (2, 3) being connected to each other by means of said strips (8); a respective pivot-pin (11) being fixed to each section perpendicular to said common plane for connecting a respective one of said pivot-ends (12) to said section (2, 3) of the apparatus in a rotatable manner; said strips (8) being pivotally connected to each other in a overlapping and crosswise manner by a central pin (9) which carries a spring (10) comprising two spring-ends (10a); said apparatus being provided at its end opposite to said front ends (6, 7) with two handles (5); two guide-pins (14) each of which extends perpendicularly to said common plane through a respective guide channel (13) extending parallel to said plane; wherein the apparatus is so arranged that when pressing the handles (5) together the two said sections (2, 3), while staying parallel, approach each other until they touch in order to close a tag (P1/P2), thereafter as pressure is maintained on the handles (5), the front ends (6, 7) open and remain open while the handles (5) remain closed, to facilitate the removal of the closed tag (P1/P2) from the front ends characterised by each said section (2, 3) comprising two faces substantially parallel to said common plane, a longitudinal gap (4) being provided in the central part of each section between said faces; each said spring-end (10a) being fixed to a respective said pivot-pin (11); each said section (2, 3) being provided a respective one of said two handles (5); each said pivot-pin (11) being fixed to a respective said section (2, 3) adjacent said handle (5) ; each said strip (8) comprising said respective guide channel (13) at the end opposite to said pivot-end (12); each said guide-pin (14) being fixed to a respective said section (2, 3) adjacent said front end (6, 7), said guide-pin (14) extending from one said face to the other through said longitudinal gap (4) therebetween; each said channel (13) being substantially "L"-shaped, the longer leg of said "L"-shaped channel being positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said strip (8), the shorter leg joining the longer leg at the end thereof closer to said pivot-end (12) and being directed away from the centreline of the apparatus; each said strip (8) being at least partly located in a respective said longitudinal gap (4) where said guide-pin (14) extends through said "L"-shaped channel (13); wherein the apparatus is so arranged that when pressing the handles (5) together, each guide-pin (14) passes along the longer leg of the channel (13), and the two said sections (2, 3), while staying parallel, approach each other until they touch in order to close a tag (P1/P2), at which instant both guide-pins (14) reach the junctures (15) of the legs of the "L"-shaped channels, thereafter as pressure is maintained on the handles (5) the guide-pins (14) pass up the shorter legs of the "L"-shaped channels (13), causing the front ends (6, 7) to open and remain open while the handles (5) remain closed.

Inventors: SANCHEZ PEREZ, FRANCISCO
Applicants: SANCHEZ PEREZ, FRANCISCO
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11, B25B7