US3987570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ear tag
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-19
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1995-06-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises the combination of an animal ear tag and an applicator for inserting the tag into the ear. The tag has a neck portion at one side that terminates in a lateral extension of a T-shape. The applicator includes a flat, elongated knife blade, extendible from and retractible within a cylindrical housing therefor. Located rearwardly of an arrow shape cutting edge on the blade are finger means for releasably holding the lateral extension against a side of the knife blade with the cross arm of the extension located forwardly. On insertion of the blade through the ear, the cross arm of the lateral extension is concurrently moved through the resultant cut so that on withdrawal of the knife the cross arm of the lateral extension is along the side of the ear remote from the tag. A locking disc is then releasably secured to such cross arm to lock the tag against accidental removal from the ear.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman J. McMurray, deceased
- 👤 executor by William C. Eastland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/04; G09F3/06; A; A01; A01K; A01K11/00; A01K11/001; A01K11/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
The combination of an animal ear tag and an applicator therefor wherein: I. the tag comprises: a. a flat body member composed of a plastic material including a neck section projected outwardly from one side thereof having a lateral extension normal to the plane of the flat body member with a terminal locking portion thereon, and Ii. the applicator comprises: a. a cylindrical tubular housing open at one end, b. a plunger axially movable within said housing, c. a flat knife member having a front cutting section and a rear section, d. means securing said rear section to said plunger for movement of the knife member therewith to retracted and extended positions of said cutting section relative to said one end of the housing, and e. means on said knife member adjacent said cutting section for releasably holding said locking portion of the tag in longitudinal alignment with said housing, when the cutting section is in the extended position therefor and with the neck section extended transversely of the housing adjacent said one end thereof for engagement with said one end on movement of the cutting section to the retracted position therefor, f. said locking portion, on insertion of said cutting section through an animal's ear to form a slit therein, being moved through said slit to the side of the ear remote from said neck section by said holding means and then released from the holding means on movement of the cutting section to the retracted position therefor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
The combination of an animal ear tag and an applicator therefor wherein: I. the tag comprises: a. a flat body member composed of a plastic material including a neck section projected outwardly from one side thereof having a lateral extension normal to the plane of the flat body member with a terminal locking portion thereon, and Ii. the applicator comprises: a. a cylindrical tubular housing open at one end, b. a plunger axially movable within said housing, c. a flat knife member having a front cutting section and a rear section, d. means securing said rear section to said plunger for movement of the knife member therewith to retracted and extended positions of said cutting section relative to said one end of the housing, and e. means on said knife member adjacent said cutting section for releasably holding said locking portion of the tag in longitudinal alignment with said housing, when the cutting section is in the extended position therefor and with the neck section extended transversely of the housing adjacent said one end thereof for engagement with said one end on movement of the cutting section to the retracted position therefor, f. said locking portion, on insertion of said cutting section through an animal's ear to form a slit therein, being moved through said slit to the side of the ear remote from said neck section by said holding means and then released from the holding means on movement of the cutting section to the retracted position therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: a. said holding means consists of a pair of transversely spaced hook members arranged at opposite sides of said knife member adjacent said cutting section and open toward said cutting section, said hook members having terminal end sections lying in a common plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of said knife member a distance to releasably engage the locking portion between said knife member and terminal end sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 1 including: a. coacting means on said cylindrical housing and plunger for defining the extended and retracted positions of said cutting section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: a. said cutting section of the knife member is of an arrow shape and said locking portion has a length transversely of said extension substantially equal to the width of said knife member and less than the width of said extension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination according to claim 1 including: a. a locking disc mountable on said lateral extension between said locking portion and the side of the animal's ear remote from said neck section, b. said locking disc composed of a resilient material and having a slot therein through which said locking portion is insertable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |