Patent ID: 8398652

Claim:
An ear tag installation tool, comprising: a first handle member having proximal and distal ends; a second handle member having proximal and distal ends, and pivotally connected to the first handle member so that the handle members are movable between an open position, in which the distal ends are spaced apart, and a closed position in which the distal ends are moved toward one another; a head pivotally connected to the distal end of the second handle member by a pin, the head comprising a core having a distal end, and a cylindrical slidable sleeve positioned over the core and slidable between an extended position and a refracted position, the sleeve having an interior chamber defined by the cylindrical sleeve, the head rotating about the pin during installation of the tag; a piercing needle having a proximal end received in the chamber of the sleeve and abutting the distal end of the core, and a distal tip including a cutting edge, the needle further having a slot formed on an exterior surface thereof; a flexible needle holder having an opening and secured to the distal end of the first handle member; and wherein an ear tag is installed on an ear by inserting a first portion of the ear tag in the slot of the piercing needle, positioning the ear between the distal ends of the handle members while the handle members are in the open position, moving the handle members toward one another so that the piercing needle pierces the ear and causing the slidable sleeve to slide over the core as the distal end of the core moves the needle through the interior chamber of the sleeve and separates the needle from the core.