A New or Improved Method or System of and Apparatus or Appliances for Branding, Tattooing, or Marking and Registering Sheep, Goats; Cattle; and other!Animals.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left. 22nd May, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method or System of and Apparatus or
Appliances for Branding, Tattooing, or Marking and Registering
Sheep, Goats; Cattle; and other!Animals.
I, GEORGE DAWs of Cape Town, Cape Colony, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-.
My invention refers to a new or improved method or system and apparatus or
appliances as hereafter described, for branding; marking, or registering animals,
hereinafter termed "stock," whereby the instruments are caused to carry different
brands' which are arranged in such combination that no two brands can be alike,
and the method further includes the manner in which the various brands shall be
supplied to the various owners of "stock." The instrument for the branding of
small stock such as sheep or goats; and which I will call the "ear" brand, is, as its
name implies used on the ear. It is in the form of a:large pair of pliers the under
jaw of which forms a cushion while the upper jaw bears a fluid reservoir furnished
with certain air and pressure valves. The underside of this reservoir is formed so
as to receive a series of blocks pierced with holes in which are fixed needles or
chisels of peculiar shape. These needles are fluted or tubular by which means
they are fed by the tattooing fluid: The needles are set in the blocks so as to
form a distinct letter or figure; and the blocks fit into the bottom of the reservoir
by means of a dovetail slide so that any series of figures can be set up in the
instrument by the agent or person supplying the brand. With suitable modifi-
cation of construction hereafter described the instruments are equally adapted
for use on large "stock" and can be used on any parts of the bodies of the
animals.
I will now describe the system by which out of three figures and one letter or
sign I obtain over seven hundred and two thousand (702,000) different brands thus
three figures from 000; 001; 002, and so on up to 999 would give one thousand
different brands, then by repeating the figures with the addition of one letter of the
alphabet, thus A-000; A 001, A 002, and so on up to A 999 another one thousand brands
would be obtained; and thus by taking each letter of the alphabet seriatim 27,000
(twenty-seven thousand) brands would be obtained. Commencing de novo
A
A
A 000,
001, 002, and thus on to 999, another 26,000 brands would be obtained and by
thus changing the top letter after every 26,000 it will be seen that 702000
brands are obtained, for each sign or letter would govern one thousand brands.
The supplying of the instruments containing the brand should be in the hands
of an official appointed for the purpose, say the Civil Commissioner or Secretary
of Divisional Council of the district, and who; on application being made to
him, shall issue an order bearing the particular brand which may come next in
numerical order to that last issued, and this order shall only be supplied by
the said official to an applicant who resides in his (the officials) division. The order
book should have counterfoils which would be filled in at the same time the order
is issued and would constitute a perfect register of all brands issued and the letter
forming the prefix of the brand should indicate a certain division, thus it will be

page_text: utterly impossible for two brauds to be alike. A copy of counterfoils would be
sent in twice in each year and would be published collectively in a small book which
could be in the hands of every farmer and official in the country.
will now describe examples of suitable working parts and the method
of use.
As constructed for an ear branding instrument there are two pivotted arms or
handles which always have a tendency to remain open, being acted upon by a
spring, and one of the arms carries a reservoir for holding the tattooing fluid, at
the bottom of which reservoir are located the tattooing needles or chisels which
form the peculiar brand; a plate holds and confines the needle blocks when placed
in position and is itself held to the reservoir by screws. A piston is provided in
the reservoir lined on the under side with india rubber or the like and is fitted so
as to extend into the angles of the fluid tank and form an elastic diaphragm
therein, the piston rod being connected at the top through a link with the piston
lever the latter being pivotted upon a bracket on the reservoir and a connecting
rod connects the piston lever to the lower jaw of the instrument, the latter being
fitted with a leather cushion on which the ear rests while receiving the impression.
A guard is provided which prevents the ear coming too far back in the instrument
and a small aperture is made in the reservoir for filling and is closed by a screw
cap. In the piston there are valves the falling of which is or may be ensured by
springs.
The action is as follows:
The sheep or goat or whatever "stock" it is required to brand is brought by
the attendant, the operator taking an ear in one hand applies the instrument with
the other taking the ear between the upper and lower jaws and by compressing the
long arms of the instrument the jaws close, the punctures are made and the eyes
of the hollow or grooved needles being already charged from the reservoir the ink
is carried into the heart of the punctures; simultaneously with this action the
piston lever has been forced up and consequently by means of the piston rod
the piston is raised and the valves therein open and admit a supply of fluid to
the under side of the diaphragm and of the piston. On releasing the instru-
ment the jaws open, the piston rod is drawn down and by means of the piston lever
and piston rod the piston is depressed the valves close and the ink is forced
down the flutes into the eyes of the needles which are thus charged for the next
operation.
The instrument for large stock can be used on any part of the body, it being
provided with a fluid tank which is fed through a screw cap, the tank being
carried by a bow shaped frame in which the fluid tank slides by means of the slots;
a stock or handle passes through a collar in the top of the before mentioned
bow shaped frame and is connected with the top of the fluid tank. At the sides
of this stock and just where it passes through the collar of the frame it is slotted so
as to allow the crosshead of the piston rod to slide in it, and a spiral spring rests
on the bow shaped frame and has a tendency to always keep the said bow shaped
frame down, consequently by means of the cross head the piston is depressed and
the valves closed at the same time the stock is forced back taking with it the fluid
tank and needles to within the line of the flanges on the frame. The action would
be as follows:-A handle having been screwed on to the stock hereinbefore
mentioned, the instrument is applied to the animal, the bow shaped frame is pressed
back and by means of the cross head and piston rod the rubber lined plate or
piston would also be raised and the valves falling, a supply of ink would be
admitted to the sponge on the underside of the plate. The needles (which have
already been charged) enter the skin of the animal and carry with them the ink
into the heart of the punctures, and the work is complete. On removing the
instrument the bow shaped frame slides forward again taking with it (by means of
the cross head) the piston rod aud piston which being depressed forces the ink from
the sponge down the flutes into the eyes of the needles thus charging them for the
next operation.

page_text: I do not limit myself to the employment of needles or grooves of any particular
shape, nor to the exact means of reducing the capacity of the reservoir, or forcing
out of the fluid, neither to the exact shape of the instruments.
Dated this 221 dor of A nova 1804
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method or System of and Apparatus or
Appliances for Branding, Tattooing, or Marking and Registering
Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and other Animals.
1, GEORGE DAWs of Cape Town, Cape Colony, Engineer, 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:-
My invention refers to a new or improved method or system and apparatus or
appliances, as hereafter described, for branding, marking or registering animals,
hereinafter termed "stock," whereby the instruments are caused to carry different
brands which are arranged in such combination that no two brands can be alike,
and the method further includes the manner in which the various brands shall be
supplied to the various owners of "stock." The instrument for the branding of
small stock such as sheep or goats, and which I will call the "ear" brand, is, as its
name implies, used on the ear. It is in the form of a large pair of pliers, the under
jaw of which forms a cushion, while the upper jaw carries a fluid reservoir furnished
with certain air and pressure valves. The under side of this reservoir is formed so
as to receive a series of blocks pierced with holes, in which are fixed needles or
chisels of peculiar shape; these needles are fluted or tubular by which means they
are fed by the tattooing fluid. The needles are set in the blocks so as to form a
distinct letter or figure, and the blocks fit into the bottom of the reservoir by
means of a dove-tail slide, so that any series of figures can be set up in the
instrument, by the agent or person supplying the brand. With suitable modifica-
tion of construction hereafter described, the instruments are equally adapted for
use on large "stock," and can be used on any part of the animals' bodies.
A
A
A
A
I will now describe the system by which out of three figures and two letters or
signs I obtain over seven hundred and two thousand (702,000) different brands.
thus three figures from 000, 001, 002, and so on up to 999 would give one thousand
different brands, then by repeating the figures, with the addition of one letter of
the alphabet seriatim, 27,000 (twenty-seven thousand) brands would be obtained.
Commencing de novo 000, 001, 002, and thus on to 999, another 26,000
brands would he obtained, and by thus changing the top letter after 26,000 it will
be seen that 702,000 brands are obtained, for each sign or letter would govern one
thousand brands. The supplying of the instruments containing the brand should
be in the hands of an official appointed for the purpose, say the Civil Commissioner
or Secretary of Divisional Council of the district, and who, on application being
made to him shall issue an order bearing the particular brand which may come next
in numerical order to that last issued, and this order shall only be supplied by the
The order
said official to an applicant who resides in his (the officials) division.
book should have counterfoils which would be filled in at the same time the order
is issued and would constitute a perfect register of all brands issued, and the letter
forming the prefix of the brand should indicate a certain division, thus it will be
atterly impossible for two brands to be alike. A copy of counterfoils would be

page_text: sent. in twice in each year, and would be published collectively in a small book
which could be in the hands of every farmer add official in the country.
Having now generally described the character of the instruments, and also the
method by which they are to be supplied and, registered, I will now, more
particularly describe the working parts and the method of using them.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing which show an instrument
for ear branding:
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section: AA are two pivotted arms or
handles which always have a tendency to remain open, being acted upon by a
spring B, and the pin C forms the pivot upon which the two arms work; one of
the arms A A carries the reservoir D for holding the tattooing fluid, and at the
bottom of the reservoir D are located the tattooing needles or chisels E E which
form the peculiar brand; F is a plate which holds-and confines the needle. blocks
when placed in position, and.is itself held to the reservoir D by the screws G. His
a plate or piston in the reservoir lined on the underside with india-rubber or the
like H, bent down on each side so as to extend into the angles of the fluid tank.
H' is a piston rod screwed into the plate H, and connected at the top by means of
a link J with the piston lever K, which latter is supported and pivotted at the other
end M upon a bracket bearing Lon..the reservoir. N. is a connecting rod which
connects the piston lever K to the lower jaw O of the instrument. P is a leather
or other cushion fittted on the jaw O and on which the ear rests while receiving
the impression. Q is a guard which prevents the ear coming too far back in the
instrument, and R is an aperture for filling the reservoir with the tattooing fluid
and is closed by a screw cap.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the tank or reservoir D and shows valves SS,
the falling of which, is or may be ensured by springs as shown. Figs. 1 and 2
both show the needles E as fitted into needle blocks E¹, also the dovetail groove
by which they are slid into position and secured by the cover plate F, which is
held by the screws G.
Figure 3 is a view in plan but with handles not shown.
Figure 4 is a view of the underside of reservoir, showing the position of the
needles as arranged for one of the brands. The action of the apparatus is as
follows: The sheep or goat, or whatever "stock" it is required 'to brand, is
brought by the attendant, the operator taking an ear in one hand applies the
instrument with the other, taking the ear between the upper and lower jaws, and
by compressing the long arms A A of the instrument, the jaws close, the punctures
are made, and the eyes of the hollow or grooved needles E being already charged
from the reservoir, the ink is carried into the heart of the punctures; simultaneously
with this action the piston lever K has been forced up, and consequently by means
of the piston rod H, the piston H is raised, and the valves S S open and admit a
supply of fluid to the underside of the piston H, and of the lining or web H³; on
releasing the instrument the jaws open, and by means of the connecting rod Ni
piston lever K and piston rod H', the piston H is depressed, the valves S S close
and the ink is forced down the flutes into the eyes of the needles E, which are thus,
charged for the next operation.
Fig. 5 is a view in cross section, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevation of the
instrument as constructed to be used for large stock, and which can be used on any
part of the body.. D is the fluid tank, which is filled through the screw stopped
aperture R: V is a bow shaped frame, in which the fluid tank slides by means of
the slots TT: U is a stock or handle which passes through a collar in the top of
the beforementioned bow shaped frame, and is connected with the top of the fluid
tank. At the sides of this stock and just, where it passes through the collar of the
frame, it is slotted so as to allow the cross head.Q of the piston rod H¹ to slide in
it. B is a spiral spring which rests on the bow shaped frame, and which has a
tendency to always keep the said bow shaped frame down, and consequently by
means of the cross head Q, the piston H is depressed, and the valves S closed at
the same time, the stock U is forced back taking with it 'the fluid reservoir D, and

page_text: needles E, to within the line of the flanges on the frame V. The action would be
as follows: A suitable handle having been screwed on to the stock U herein before.
mentioned, the instrument is applied to the animal, the bow shaped frame V is
pressed back into the position shown in the drawings (Fig. 5), and by means of the
cross head and piston rod H', the rubber lined plate or piston H would also be
raised and the valves S falling a supply of ink would be admitted to a sponge, when
such is employed, on the underside of the piston H. The needles E (which have
already been charged) enter the skin of the animal, and carry with them the ink
into the heart of the punctures, and the work is complete. On removing the
instrument, the bow shaped frame V slides forward, again taking with it (by means
of the cross head Q) the piston rod H and piston H, which being depressed forces
the ink from the sponge down the flutes, into the eyes of the needles E, thus
charging them for the next operation.
I do not limit myself to the employment of needles or grooves of any particular
shape, nor to the exact means of reducing the capacity of the reservoir, or forcing
out of the fluid, neither to the exact shape of the instruments.
Having new particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A branding or tattooing instrument having blocks E', each block having
hollow or fluted needles E, extending through same, and arranged to form letters
or a figure, the blocks forming the bottom of a reservoir D to contain ink or fluid,
for delivery through the needles to the skin of the animal to be tattooed, the
reservoir being fitted with a diaphragm and piston having valves S, the piston.
rod H being actuated to force ink into the needles, substantially as set forth.
2. A branding or tattooing instrument having blocks E, each block having
hollow or fluted needles E extending through same, and arranged to form letters
or a figure, the blocks forming the bottom of a reservoir D, to contain ink or fluid,.
for delivery through the needles to the skin of the animal to be tattooed, the
reservoir being fitted with a diaphragm H, and piston H, having valves S, in
combination with a pair of pivotted handles A A, one arm thereof carrying the
reservoir with its accompanying apparatus, and the other arm provided with a
pad P, upon which the ear of the animal is laid, and against which the needles of
the upper arm act, the lower arm being by rod N, and lever K, connected with the
piston rod H, and actuates same to force the ink, all substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
3. A branding or tattooing instrument having blocks E', each block having
hollow or fluted needles E, extending through same, and arranged to form letters
or a figure, the blocks forming the bottom of a reservoir D, to contain ink or fluid
for delivery through the needles to the punctures in the skin of the animal, a
diaphragm H and piston H in the reservoir D, and valves S in the piston, in
combination with a handle U to which the reservoir is fixed, and a bow shaped or
arched frame V, sliding on the fluid tank, when the said frame is pressed against
the animal, a pin Q on the arched frame, working in slots in the handle U, and
passing through the piston rod H¹, serving to regulate the penetration of the
needles, and with a spring B to operate the piston H, all substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
4. In a branding or tattooing instrument, the method or system of producing a
large number of different brands or marks by the employment of four blocks E¹,
three of such being "figure" blocks, and the fourth a lettered block, each special
combination of blocks E (producing a brand) being issued by a proper official, the
owners names and addresses being afterwards published with the particular brands
assigned thereto, all substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
5. The general arrangement, construction and action of the herein described
apparatus or appliances, for branding, tattooing, or marking sheep, goats, cattle
and other animals, together with the method or system of combining and registering.

page_text: such brands or marks, all' substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1895.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.