Poultry, Plants, and the like, and in Means or Devices therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: Poultry, Plants, and the like, and in Means or Devices
therefor.
;
1-
I, GEORGE EDWARD SMART of Belvedere House, Tunbridge Wells, in the
County of Kent Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
1.
Great difficulty is often experienced in distinguishing the members of various
broods or breeds of poultry and other live stock and their ages and the present
invention is designed to overcome this difficulty, which exists also with reference
to plants. It is frequently desirable to note while fruit trees are in leaf those
trees which do not bear any fruit, so that their roots may be attended to when the
leaves have fallen, but such devices as pieces of wool or silk tied round the leg of
a fowl or the branch of a tree are very unsatisfactory and soon come off or become
almost invisible. The object with which they were tied on also is frequently
forgotten especially in the case of a large number of poultry. This invention
consists of a ring plate band or equivalent device made of any suitable material,
such as steel iron india rubber or the like, and either bearing upon it some
distinctive device such as a number or perforation or adapted to be written upon,
or of a shape or color which will at once serve to identify it.
For poultry, trees and some plants the most convenient form probably is a
flexible divided spring hoop either bearing the required number or device or
adapted to be written upon; this hoop which when of metal may be lined or covered
with soft material can be slipped upon the leg of a fowl or the branch of a tree
and where expansion is required as to accommodate the growth of the fowl's leg
the hoop will admit of it.
The exact form of the hoop or plate may be greatly varied; where it is applied
to a fowl's leg for instance the lower edge may be with advantage extended so as
to afford a sloping or curved face to write upon and facilitate the deciphering of
the device or writing.
The plates or other device may be arranged to book or spring in and for flower
pots may be curved according to the size of the pot and may be provided with
loops or equivalents to which labels may be attached.
Where a "split ring" is used it should be so constructed as not to injure the
limb or branch upon which it is placed.

page_text: Improvements in the Method of Naming or Distinguishing
Poultry, Plants, and the like, and in Means or Devices
. therefor.
I, GEORGE EDWARD SMART of Belvedere House, Tunbridge Wells, in the
County of Kent, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
"
Great difficulty is often experienced in distinguishing the members of various
broods or breeds of poultry and other live stock one from another or in
determining the age thereof and the same difficulty exists also with reference to
plants. It is frequently desirable to note whilst fruit trees are still in leaf those
trees which have proved unfruitful during the season, so that their roots may be
attended to when the leaves have fallen, but such devices as pieces of wool or silk
are very unsatisfactory and soon come off or become almost invisible whether
tied round the branch of a tree or the leg of a fowl. The object with which they
were tied on is also frequently forgotten especially where large numbers of
poultry are concerned.
The present invention is designed to remedy the defects above mentioned and
consists in the employment of a ring plate band or equivalent device made of any
suitable material such as copper steel iron india-rubber or the like and either
bearing upon it some distinctive device such as a number or perforation or adapted
to be written upon, or of a shape or colour which will at once serve to identify it.
For poultry, trees and some plants the most convenient form of device is probably
a flexible divided spring hoop which if made of metal may be lined or covered
with soft material and slipped around the leg of a fowl or the branch of a tree.
The hoop may be constructed to expand easily so that if placed on a young fowl
it will accomodate itself to the growth of the leg; and so also with the branch or
twig of a shrub tree or plant.
The form of the hoop or plate may be greatly varied; if for instance, it is intended
for application to the leg of a fowl the lower edge may with advantage be
extended so as to afford a sloping or curved face to write upon thus allowing
space for the use of larger and more legible characters.
'
The plates or other devices may be arranged to hook or spring inwards and for
flower pots may be curved according to the size of the pot and may be provided
with loops or equivalents to which labels may be attached.
Where a «
split ring" is used care must be taken to construct it in such a
manner as not to injure the limb or branch upon which it is placed.
Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings represent flat elastic metal
rings the tendency of which is to contract or spring inwards. The extent of
overlap may be limited by tapering one end of the ring and turning down the
corners of the other.
In Figure 5 the ring has a tendency to expand and in this case it is secured by
means of a hook formed by partly punching out a semicircular piece of metal at
one end which takes into one of a series of slots or eyes formed in the other.

page_text: Figure 15 represents a plain endless band of india-rubber and Figures 16, 17,
18, 18, 19 and 20 also represent bands of india rubber or other flexible or elastic
material either endless or divided, the latter forms being provided with end
fasteners.
The ring shewn in Figure 21 has a tendency to spring inwards the growth of
the limb being allowed for by a slot in which the button can slide. Figure 22
represents a self fastening split-ring; Figure 23 a wire ring passing twice round
the limb and fastened by an ordinary book and eye.
. Figure 37 represents a metallic band that may be written upon and wound
round the limb or branch. It may be either non-elastic or elastic with a tendency
to coil inwards.
Figures 39 to 46 are modified forms of labels for attachment to plants and,
plant pots.
Figures 47 and 48 are open and closed views of a label constructed after the
manner of a spiral spring.
The Figures not specially mentioned serve to illustrate some of the variations in
configuration or design which may be introduced in carrying out my Invention.
Some of the rings are represented as having plates attached upon which a
recording mark or word may be written or stamped; others are perforated,
corrugated or embossed and are of two or more different colours according to
fancy. In some a turn-down collar or flange is formed the whole or part of the
way round so as to afford an extended surface to mark upon, whilst others have
small lugs or ears at intervals apart on each side which may be bent over to
retain a sinal label of suitable material. My invention provides a ready means
of recording the age pedigree and other interesting details relative to all kinds
of live stock or garden produce and by attaching a definite meaning to each
particular construction of label or design impressed thereon and keeping a "key"
thereto, only the owner or those in his confidence can avail themselves of the
information thus afforded. This is a consideration of some importance to keepers
of pigeons poultry or rabbits valuable on account of their pedigree and consequently
particularly liable to be decoyed or stolen.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is,
The improved methods of constructing and affixing distinctive marks to poultry
pigeons plants and other objects in order that the same may be subsequently
identified substantially as herein shown and described.
Firstly. As a means of distinguishing poultry other live stock, plants and the
like the employment of expansible rings plates or bands substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
Secondly. The employment for similar purposes of expansible plates bands or
hoops with loops ears or receptacles to which, or by means of which, written or
other distinctive labels may be attached substantially as specified.
Thirdly. The Improvements generally in the method of naming or distinguishing
poultry plants and the like by means of expansible devices constructed and applied
substantially as specified.