GB2037236A - Ear tags - Google Patents

Abstract

An ear tag for cattle comprising a male tab with an integral stem (7a) having a transverse groove (8) therearound, and a female tab having a socket (13) for receiving the stem, the female tab further comprising a housing (10) containing a spring-loaded latch bolt (14) disposed transversely of the socket (13) for non-releasable engagement of the stem by entry of the latch bolt (14) into the groove (8) upon insertion of the stem (7a) into the socket (13). Preferably the housing is of metal, with a frangible plastics coating which shatters, splinters or deforms if the ear tag is interfered with. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Eartags This invention relates to ear tags for animals, especially for cattle, hereinafter referred to as ear tags for cattle.

Many types of ear tag are known involving many different types of mechanisms and materials.

However, all currently available ear tags share one disadvantage, namely, they are not tamper proof.

One important use of ear tags is their use in various disease eradication programmes, notably in bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes, where the cattle are ear tagged as proof of testing. In any disease eradication scheme it is essential that one has an accurate record of tested animals. This is particularly important where the ownership of an animal changes a number of times during its lifetime. If the ear tags can be tampered with after testing the object of the disease eradication scheme is defeated. Accordingly, a tamper proof ear tag is sought to ensure the success of such disease aradication programmes and also to act as a deterrent to cattle rustlers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof ear tag which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

Accordingly the invention provides an ear tag for cattle comprising a male tab with an integral stem having a transverse groove therearound, and a female tab having a socket for receiving the stem, the female tab further comprising a housing containing a spring-loaded latch bolt disposed transversely of the socket for non-releasable engagement of the stem by entry of the latch bolt into the groove upon insertion of the stem into the socket.

Preferably, the spring-loaded latch bolt is totally enclosed in the housing to which the only access is through the socket. Preferably a connection piece unites the male and female tabs. Preferably the ear tag is constructed entirely of metal, desirably a strong metal such as a zinc/copper alloy.

The ear tag may be secured to an animal's ear by means of a suitable conventional applicator.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ear tag before use; Figure 2 is a section through the ear tag of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second ear tag, and Figure 4 is a section through the female tab of the ear tag of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings beginning with Figures 1 and 2, there is provided an eartag, indicated generally at 1, comprising a tag portion 2 and an associated locking mechanism 3. The tag portion 2 is substantially U-shaped, with one limb 4 of the U being integral with and forming an extension of the locking mechanism 3 at its upper surface 5 as represented. The tag portion 2 bears an individual number which is indicated by the letters WXYZ at 6. The other limb 7 of the tag portion 2 is provided with an extension 7a at its free end 9, said extension 7a having a groove 8, the purpose of which will be explained below.

The locking mechanism 3 comprises a body portion 10 the upper surface 5 of which is integral with the limb 4 of the tag portion 2. The body portion 10 is provided with a pair of internal mutually perpendicular channels, namely, a first channel 11 and a second channel 12. The first channel 11 communicates with the upper surface 5 of the body portion 10 by way of an opening 13, and is adapted to receive the extension 7a of the arm 7. The second channel 12 houses a bolt 14 which is spring-loaded by means of a helical spring 15. Said bolt 14 has an inclined leading edge 16 which facilitates its engagement with the groove 8 of the extension 7a.

During the manufacture of the locking mechanism 3 and after the insertion of the bolt 14 and spring 15 into the channel 12, a plug 20 is inserted into the channel 12 and then sealed in a conventional manner.

In use, the ear tag 1 is applied to an animal's ear (17) by means of a suitable, conventional eartag applicator (not shown). The extension 7a of the limb 7 is caused to enter the first channel 11 of the locking mechanism 3. Said extension 7a presses down on the inclined leading edge 16 of the bolt 14 causing the bolt to retract slightly by compressing the associated spring 15 as the extension 7a passes the bolt 14. The bolt 14then engagesthe groove 8, thereby securing the ear tag 1 on the animal's ear (17) in tamper-proof manner.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is provided an ear tag as hereinbefore described except that the tag portion 2 is substantially circular in shape and is provided with an extension 7a, said extension 7a having a groove 8, the purpose of which has already been explained.

In use the ear tag is applied to the animals ear in the same manner as herein before described.

1. An ear tag for cattle comprising a male tab with an integral stem having a transverse groove therearound, and a female tab having a socket for receiving the stem, the female tab further comprising a housing containing a spring-loaded latch bolt disposed transversely of the socket for nonreleasable engagement of the stem by entry of the latch bolt into the groove upon insertion of the stem into the socket.

2. An ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded latch bolt is totally enclosed in the housing to which the only access is through the socket.

3. An ear tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a connection piece unites the male and female tabs.

4. An ear tag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is constructed entirely of metal.

5. An ear tag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the housing is constructed from a strong metal such as a zinc/copper alloy.

6. An ear tag as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the metal is coated with a frangible plastics material adapted to shatter, splinter or deform in case of forcible interference with the ear tag.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Eartags This invention relates to ear tags for animals, especially for cattle, hereinafter referred to as ear tags for cattle. Many types of ear tag are known involving many different types of mechanisms and materials. However, all currently available ear tags share one disadvantage, namely, they are not tamper proof. One important use of ear tags is their use in various disease eradication programmes, notably in bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes, where the cattle are ear tagged as proof of testing. In any disease eradication scheme it is essential that one has an accurate record of tested animals. This is particularly important where the ownership of an animal changes a number of times during its lifetime. If the ear tags can be tampered with after testing the object of the disease eradication scheme is defeated. Accordingly, a tamper proof ear tag is sought to ensure the success of such disease aradication programmes and also to act as a deterrent to cattle rustlers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof ear tag which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. Accordingly the invention provides an ear tag for cattle comprising a male tab with an integral stem having a transverse groove therearound, and a female tab having a socket for receiving the stem, the female tab further comprising a housing containing a spring-loaded latch bolt disposed transversely of the socket for non-releasable engagement of the stem by entry of the latch bolt into the groove upon insertion of the stem into the socket. Preferably, the spring-loaded latch bolt is totally enclosed in the housing to which the only access is through the socket. Preferably a connection piece unites the male and female tabs. Preferably the ear tag is constructed entirely of metal, desirably a strong metal such as a zinc/copper alloy. The ear tag may be secured to an animal's ear by means of a suitable conventional applicator. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ear tag before use; Figure 2 is a section through the ear tag of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second ear tag, and Figure 4 is a section through the female tab of the ear tag of Figure 3. Referring now to the drawings beginning with Figures 1 and 2, there is provided an eartag, indicated generally at 1, comprising a tag portion 2 and an associated locking mechanism 3. The tag portion 2 is substantially U-shaped, with one limb 4 of the U being integral with and forming an extension of the locking mechanism 3 at its upper surface 5 as represented. The tag portion 2 bears an individual number which is indicated by the letters WXYZ at 6. The other limb 7 of the tag portion 2 is provided with an extension 7a at its free end 9, said extension 7a having a groove 8, the purpose of which will be explained below. The locking mechanism 3 comprises a body portion 10 the upper surface 5 of which is integral with the limb 4 of the tag portion 2. The body portion 10 is provided with a pair of internal mutually perpendicular channels, namely, a first channel 11 and a second channel 12. The first channel 11 communicates with the upper surface 5 of the body portion 10 by way of an opening 13, and is adapted to receive the extension 7a of the arm 7. The second channel 12 houses a bolt 14 which is spring-loaded by means of a helical spring 15. Said bolt 14 has an inclined leading edge 16 which facilitates its engagement with the groove 8 of the extension 7a. During the manufacture of the locking mechanism 3 and after the insertion of the bolt 14 and spring 15 into the channel 12, a plug 20 is inserted into the channel 12 and then sealed in a conventional manner. In use, the ear tag 1 is applied to an animal's ear (17) by means of a suitable, conventional eartag applicator (not shown). The extension 7a of the limb 7 is caused to enter the first channel 11 of the locking mechanism 3. Said extension 7a presses down on the inclined leading edge 16 of the bolt 14 causing the bolt to retract slightly by compressing the associated spring 15 as the extension 7a passes the bolt 14. The bolt 14then engagesthe groove 8, thereby securing the ear tag 1 on the animal's ear (17) in tamper-proof manner. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is provided an ear tag as hereinbefore described except that the tag portion 2 is substantially circular in shape and is provided with an extension 7a, said extension 7a having a groove 8, the purpose of which has already been explained. In use the ear tag is applied to the animals ear in the same manner as herein before described. CLAIMS

1. An ear tag for cattle comprising a male tab with an integral stem having a transverse groove therearound, and a female tab having a socket for receiving the stem, the female tab further comprising a housing containing a spring-loaded latch bolt disposed transversely of the socket for nonreleasable engagement of the stem by entry of the latch bolt into the groove upon insertion of the stem into the socket.

2. An ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded latch bolt is totally enclosed in the housing to which the only access is through the socket.

3. An ear tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a connection piece unites the male and female tabs.

4. An ear tag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is constructed entirely of metal.

5. An ear tag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the housing is constructed from a strong metal such as a zinc/copper alloy.

6. An ear tag as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the metal is coated with a frangible plastics material adapted to shatter, splinter or deform in case of forcible interference with the ear tag.

7. An ear tag for cattle substantially as herein described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.