ASSEMBLY OF EAR PUNCH CARTRIDGE. ROTARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an ear piercing cartridge assembly and, in particular, to an ear piercing cartridge assembly, which includes an ear piercing assembly adapted to receive a rotating rod cartridge and a cartridge. Rotary Clutch The ear drilling systems use ear drilling guns which are well known in the art The current ear drilling systems are characterized in particular by a rod with a sharp tip which is inserted through an ear lobe by the action of a spring loaded instrument A state of the ear piercing cartridge assembly of the art is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,004,470, owned by Inverness Corporation The system described in U.S. Patent No. 5,004,470 includes a shank and clutch cartridge , each of which can hold, respectively, two rods and two clutches. One of the ca The rod and clutch parts are mounted on the ear drilling assembly, the rod, the clutch and the push rod (which forces the rod through the ear) are coaxially aligned by the sliding movement of the clutch cartridges and of rod, in relation to the ear drilling assembly. This system is aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. In particular, the reduction in the need to handle each individual clutch and rod by the user of the instrument, has improved the sterility integrity of the drilling process. However, the aforementioned system uses rod cartridges and clutch cartridges which are merely movable, in sliding form, to a piercing position. Accordingly, an ear piercing cartridge assembly that maintains a high level of sterility during the ear piercing operation is desired and further reduces the likelihood of human contact by the user of the instrument with the rod and clutch during a procedure of drilling.
COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION
In general, in accordance with the present invention, an improved ear piercer assembly is provided. The ear piercing assembly includes a housing, a push rod, and a rod cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a rod cartridge therein. The rod cartridge receiving chamber is adapted to allow the rod cartridge to rotate inside the chamber such that when the rod cartridge is rotated between a first position and a second position, a releasably secured rod inside the cartridge can Be coaxially aligned with the push bar to accurately drill an ear. The assembly also includes a clutch cartridge receiver assembly adapted to receive a clutch cartridge. The clutch cartridge receiving assembly is constructed to allow the clutch cartridge to rotate therein, so that when the clutch cartridge rotates between a first position and a second position, a first clutch releasably secured in the clutch cartridge can be coaxially aligned with the push bar. In addition, the rod and the clutch can be, simultaneously, coaxially aligned between them to obtain the desired result of the piercing of the ear. In a preferred embodiment, the rod cartridge receiving chamber is formed integrally with the housing and is defined by walls adapted to receive the rod cartridge when the rod cartridge is aligned in a first position. The walls are further formed to secure the rod cartridge within the rod cartridge receiving chamber, when the push rod and a rod are coaxially aligned. The clutch cartridge receiver assembly can also be constructed to receive the clutch cartridge, when the clutch cartridge is aligned in a first position and secured to the clutch cartridge within the clutch cartridge receiving assembly, when the push rod and the clutch are coaxially aligned. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Improved assembly of ear piercing cartridge. A further object of the invention is to provide an ear piercing assembly, which minimizes the handling of the rod and clutch cartridges during an ear piercing procedure. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ear piercing assembly that maintains the sterile integrity of the rod and clutch prior to and during the ear piercing process. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ear piercing assembly, in which the rod and the clutch are easily and accurately aligned before piercing the ear lobe. A further object of the present invention is to provide an ear piercing assembly, in which the clutch cartridge and the rod cartridge can be disposable. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be partly obvious and in part will be apparent from the specification. The invention, therefore, comprises the aspects of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be illustrated in the constructions set forth below, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ear drilling assembly constructed in accordance with present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the ear piercing assembly illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Figure 2, showing the invention before an ear piercing procedure; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of Figure 3;
Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a clutch pusher and clutch cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention, Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of Figure 2, Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13--13 of Figure 11, and Figure 14 is a sectional view of the ear piercing assembly showing the rod and the clutch after an ear piercing procedure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES
Referring first to Figure 1, wherein an ear piercing cartridge assembly ("ear piercing assembly"), constructed in accordance with the present invention, is generally indicated. includes in rod cartridge, generally indicated at 20, a clutch cartridge, generally indicated at 50, and a spring gun assembly generally indicated at 70. Reference will now be made to Figures 11-13, which illustrate in greater detail the Rod Cartridge 20 Rod Cartridge 20 includes a cover 22 and an annular shoulder 24 integral with and extending around the surface of the cover 22. A cover portion 22 includes flat, opposite, flat, tangentially formed surfaces a and parallel therebetween. on the outer surface of the cover 22. A cover portion 22 includes curved rotation surfaces integrally formed with the surfaces sliding feet 26 to form the outer surface of the cover 22. A finger lever 32 extends integrally from the annular shoulder 24 and parallel to the opposite, flat sliding surfaces 26. As discussed in more detail below, the finger lever 32 facilitates the assembly of the rod cartridge 20 in the spring gun assembly 70 and the rotation thereof during the ear piercing procedure. A molded rib 34 extends from a front surface of the finger lever 32 to allow the rod cartridge 20 to lock in place during the ear piercing process. Similarly, the notches 33, molded on the finger lever 32, allow the rod cartridge 20 to be placed in a locked position during the ear piercing procedure, as described below. The inner walls 22a, 22b of the cover 22 extending from the shoulder 24 beyond the curved surfaces 25, define 2 parallel holes 28 within the cover 22, which extend axially through the length of the cover 22.
Each hole 28 receives a rod, generally indicated at 31, having a head 31a and a piercing pin 31b, integrally formed. The diameter of each hole 28 is sized with respect to the size of each rod 31 to slightly retain the rods therein by an interference fit. To further secure each shank 31 within each hole 28, opposite slots 29a and 29b are formed, in each respective hole 28, in order to form a finger 30 therein. Each finger 30 is biased against a respective head 31a to retain each respective rod 31, by diverting its upper surface into each hole 28 until the rod is ejected from the rod cartridge 20 during the ear piercing procedure. Also integrally molded with the cover 22 in each hole 28, a tongue 27 is located to assist in retaining each rod 31 (from the lower surface of the head 31a) within each respective hole 28, prior to the release of the rod 31 within a ear. The tongue 27 is within the perforation path of the rod 31, so that after the release of each respective rod 31, each respective tongue 27 is cut off from the cover 22 and without damaging falls from the hole 28 in order not to interfere with the ear piercing procedure. The inner walls 22a, 22b do not completely enclose the rod 31. Each hole 28 is formed with a slot 16 (FIG. 2) aligned in the upper part of the rod cartridge 20, when the rod 31 is to be released thereby providing a groove of launching. Reference will now be made to Figures 6-10, wherein the clutch cartridge 50 is illustrated, which includes a clutch housing 51 and clutches 60. The clutch housing 51 includes an annular rear band 54 and two opposed clutch compartments 56. , projecting from and integrals with the rear band 54. Extending integrally with the rear band 54 is a clutch cartridge handle 57. The clutch cartridge handle 57 facilitates handling of the clutch cartridge 50 as well as rotation of the clutch cartridge 50, as discussed below, because of the ease with which one can hold the clutch cartridge 50 by means of the handle 57. A pair of deflected ends 58, integrally molded with the internal walls 53 of the cartridge, are aligned in parallel relative to the handle 57 and facilitate securing of the clutch cartridge 50 to a clutch setter 82 during the ear piercing procedure. , as discussed later. Each extremity 58 includes a trapping base 59 orthogonally dependent, integrally molded therewith. Each clutch 60 is formed of a single piece of elastic metal having a backing plate 61 substantially planar, and symmetrical loops 62 integrally formed with a configuration of C, each loop having an end 63. The plate 61 is configured to be received against the back surface of the lobe of an ear. An opening 65 is provided in each respective plate 61 and is dimensioned to receive the piercing pin 31b of the rod 31. Each clutch compartment 56 is formed by the rear band 54 on one side, ribs 68 on the rear and interior walls 53 in a second side, opposite the rear band 54 and integrally formed therewith. The ribs 68 are integrally formed in each clutch compartment 56 and assist in the positioning of the clutches 60 in the clutch chamber 64. The ribs 68 are disposed between each end 63 of each loop 62 of each clutch 60, to ensure that a opening 65a, between the ends 63 of each loop 62, and coaxial with the opening 65, is provided to receive the piercing pin 31b therebetween. Each compartment 56 is of a sufficient depth to allow each back plate 61, of each clutch 60, to be depressed from the outer surface of each clutch compartment 56, so that the possibility of the clutch 60 making contact with is reduced. the finger of a person when the clutch cartridge 50 is inserted in the spring gun assembly 70. Each clutch compartment 56 is configured to releasably secure each clutch 60 therein., until each clutch 60 is secured in the piercing pin 31b of the rod 31 during the ear piercing procedure. When the piercing pin 31b enters the opening 65 and continues until it is between each end 63 of each loop 62, the ends 63 extend and will no longer be supported by the deviation of the ribs 68 against the loops 62. In this way , each clutch 60 is releasably secured within each compartment 56. Reference will now be made to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 14, wherein the spring gun assembly 70 is illustrated in detail. The spring gun assembly 70 includes a housing 72, a plunger 77, a push rod assembly 80 and a clutch setter 82 The plunger 77 includes a trigger 79 dependent to provide a grip for the finger A handle assembly extends at the handle end of the housing 72, generally indicated as 81. A clutch setter, or anvil 82, is provided at one end of the opposite plunger 77 and at a distance from the push rod assembly 80. The anvil 82 includes two separate walls 83 which from end a slot 84 (Figure 10) therebetween, and sized to receive the ends 58 of the clutch cartridge 50, when the clutch cartridge 50 is oriented so that the ends 58 are aligned parallel to the slot 84, as can be seen in Figure 10 In this way, the clutch cartridge 50 can be slid in the direction of the arrow A (Figure 10) into place on the anvil 82 for placement during an ear piercing procedure on the front surface of the anvil 82 there is an integral shoulder 86 having edges 86a and 86b. The shoulder 86 receives against it an annular rear band 54 of the clutch housing 51. A depressed annular rail 88 is provided on the rear surface of the anvil 82 (Figures 9, 10). . The rail 88 is dimensioned to receive the base 59 of each end 58, and allows rotation of the clutch cartridge 50 along the rail 88 in the direction of the arrows B and C (Figure 9) to obtain the two cartridge positions of clutch illustrated in Figure 6. In the preferred embodiment, the anvil 82 includes an opening 89 dimensioned to receive a screw 90 or the like. Correspondingly, the plunger 77 has an opening 91 for receiving the screw 90. In this way, the anvil 82 can be mounted on the plunger 77. On the front surface of the anvil 82 spikes 76 are integrally formed, and are respectively received by a slot 71 defined by the internal walls 74 in the plunger 77. In this way, the anvil 82 will not rotate around the plunger 77, when the anvil 82 is mounted and secured thereto by means of the screw 90. Alternatively, the anvil 82 can be formed integrally with the plunger 77 Reference will now be made to Figures 3 and 14, which illustrate in detail the push bar assembly 80. The push bar assembly 80 includes a push bar 93, and a spring chamber 94 of integrally formed preferably, and a loading lever 95, also preferably integrally coupled to the push rod 93 and the spring chamber 94. The push rod assembly 80 may also include a rib 96 integrally formed on opposite sides of spring chamber 94 and slidably contained within a groove 75 (Figures 4 and 5) formed on each inner surface of housing 72, and defined by respective internal walls 67, to allow assembly of push bar 80 is slidably displaced within housing 72 between a position ready for launch (Figure 3) and a piercing position (Figure 14). An elongated hole 92, having a rear inner wall 92a, is formed within the spring chamber 94 of the push rod assembly 80 and sized to receive deviating means, such as a spring 97, therein. A spring end 92 is biased against the rear inner wall 92a of the spring chamber 94. The spring 97 biases the push rod 93 in the direction of the anvil 82., as shown by the arrow D in Figure 14. A stop wall 98 can be integrally molded into the housing 72 and receives against it the end of the spring 97 extending from the spring chamber 94, so that the spring 97 is anchored between stop wall 98 and rear inner wall 92a. A triangular ramp 104, integral with the lower surface of the spring chamber 94, includes an inclined surface 104a and a side surface 104b. The function of the ramp 104 is described below. An elongated opening or slot 87 (Figure 2) is formed in the housing 72. The loading lever 95 extends through the slot 87. The slot 87 is of sufficient length to allow the loading lever 95 and the assembly of push bar 80 are slidably displaced between a ready launch position (Figure 3) and an ear piercing position (Figure 14) An opening 102 forms in the front wall 103 of the housing 72 and is dimensioned to allow the bar push 93 slides through it Push bar 93 may have on it one or more elastic pads 99, preferably made of rubber, which are to be provided and arranged on push bar 93 and against a front surface 107 of the spring chamber 94 In this way, when the push rod assembly 80 moves forward in the direction indicated by the arrow D (Figure 14) during the piercing procedure, the dillas 99 may contact an internal surface 103a of the wall 103 of the housing 72, and absorb the contact force between the push rod assembly 80 and the housing 72, thereby preventing damage to both the push bar assembly 80 and to housing 72, and providing a quiet operation. Reference will now also be made to Figures 4 and 5. In the preferred embodiment plunger 77 has an essentially square cross section. Plunger 77 includes an integrally formed elongate member 106 that also has an essentially cross section square, slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the plunger 77, thereby defining edges 117 on the two lateral sides of the plunger 77. The plunger 77 also includes an integral rib 75 thereof which is slidably supported between the respective inner walls 69 within the housing 72 to allow the plunger 77 to be slidable between the position ready for launch and the ear piercing position A ramp 108 (Figure 3), integral with the plunger 77 and the elongated member 106, includes an inclined surface 108a. A plurality of internal walls 123, integrally molded within the housing 72, slidably contain the elongated member 106 in a horizontal direction and also maintain the integrity of the sliding path of the obturator 77 during the ear piercing procedure. The elongate member 106 also includes a plurality of ears 128 integrally formed. A torsion spring 130 is mounted within the housing 72 on a post 116, integrally molded into the housing 72. A first end 130a of the spring 130 is captured by the pins 128 and biases the plunger 77 in a direction away from the bar assembly. push 80 The second end 130b of the spring 130 can be deflected against a post 116a, integrally formed within the housing 72. A tooth, generally indicated at 110, includes a frame 120 defining an aperture sized to receive the elongated member 106. A plurality of walls internal 126, also integrally formed with an inner surface of housing 72, also helps maintain the sliding path of tooth 110 in a vertical direction, as shown by arrows E, F, in Figure 14 A notch 112 (Figure 5) is formed on the lower surface of the tooth 110 to receive the diverting means, such as one end 114a of a second spring of 114. The spring 114 can also be placed on the post 116. A stop wall, plate or post 116a, may also serve to deflect second end 114b of spring 114. Spring 114 deflects tooth 110 toward triangular ramp 104. An upper surface 118 of tooth 110 is correspondingly inclined toward the inclination of triangular ramp 104 The spring gun assembly 70 may also include a rod cartridge receiving chamber 35 ("chamber 35"), which is defined by a pair of opposite walls 36, integrally molded, on the housing 72. The opposite walls 36 are dimensioned to receive, therein, the rod cartridge assembly 20. The internal walls of each opposite wall 36 define a slot 38 for receiving the annular shoulder 24 of the rod cartridge 20, therein, and for guiding the Cartridge rod 20 during rotation. A plurality of U-shaped guides 37, integrally molded with the opposite walls 36, are sized to receive and support the rod cartridge 20, when the rod cartridge 20 is placed inside the chamber 35 and positioned so that the surfaces flat, opposite sliders 26, and the finger handle 32, are oriented parallel to the opposite walls 36. Once the rod cartridge 20 is received in the chamber 35, the rod cartridge 20 rotates within the guides 37, with U-shaped, and opposed slots 38, to move between a first piercing position and a second piercing position, as illustrated in Figure 11 by arrows G and H, respectively. The guides 37 include inclined tips 42 for guiding the rod cartridge 20 into place within the chamber 35. The rod cartridge 20 remains secured within the chamber 35 by interference fit between the guides 37 against the upper and lower surfaces. 25 of the rod cartridge 20, when the rod cartridge 20 rotates between the first and second positions. A slit 39 is formed in the walls 36 as an extension of the slot 38 to receive the finger lever 32. The inner walls 40a and 40b, which define the slit 39, are also slightly tapered in a downward direction (Figure 1), causing a slight deviation of the finger lever 32 against the opposite inner wall 40a of each respective slit 39. Accordingly, when the finger lever 32 is rotated as described above, the rib 34 of the finger lever 32 is releasably received in a closure 39a formed in each opposite inner wall 40a (Figures 1, 12). In this way, the rod cartridge 20 is retained in an appropriate alignment during the entire drilling process. The finger lever 32 is positioned relative to each hole 28, so that when the finger lever 32 is placed in a first position with the slit 39, the notch 33 comes into contact with the wall 36, as shown in FIG. the solid lines in Figure 11, the hole 28 is coaxial with the push rod 93 The rotation of the finger lever 32 towards a second position, in which the second notch 33 comes into contact with the wall 36, shown in FIG. vanished lines in Figure 11, aligning the second hole 28 coaxially with the push rod 93 Each rod 31 can then be ejected from the rod cartridge 20 As stated above, the tooth 110 is biased towards the push rod assembly 80 by the deviating action of the spring 114 against the notch 112 of the tooth 110 (arrow E, Figure 14) Moving the loading lever 95, in the direction of the arrow G (Figure 3), against the deviating action of the spring 97, causes the e the inclined surface 118 of the tooth 110 slidably engages the inclined surface 104a of the triangular ramp 104 by pushing the tooth 110 away from the ramp 104, allowing the ramp 104 to slide over the tooth 110 by moving the loading lever 95 far enough in the direction of arrow G, causes ramp 104 to pass completely over tooth 110, disengaging from the tooth 110, so that the tooth 110 is biased in a direction against the underside of the spring chamber 94 and against the edge surface 104b of the ramp 104, thereby slidably securing the push rod assembly 80. in a ready-to-launch position for piercing an ear (Figure 3) As described above, the anvil 82 can be integrally formed with or fixed to the plunger 77 therefore, by pulling the trigger 79 in the direction indicated by the arrow H (FIG. 14) against the deviating action of the spring 130 ejects the anvil 82 towards the push rod 93 during the launch, and helps to ensure a closeness of each clutch 60 and rod 31 respectively to the earlobe to be drilled With the assembly of push bar 80 in a position ready for launch (Figure 3), the pull of the trigger 79 towards the tooth 110 causes the inclined surface of the ramp 108 to engage a lower edge of the frame 12 0 of the tooth 110 As the trigger 79 is pulled, the inclined surface of the finger 108 slidably engages the tooth 110, causing the tooth 110 to move correspondingly downward in the direction of the arrow F (Figure 14) The pull of the trigger 79 further causes the finger 108 to engage the edge of the frame 120 of the tooth 110 to move further downwards until the tooth 110 moves out of engagement with the edge surface 104b of the triangular ramp 104 With the tooth 110 out of engagement with the triangular ramp 104, the push rod assembly 80 is no longer secured in the position and is thrown in the direction D (Figure 14), due to the deflection of the spring 97, thus causing the push rod 93 to move towards the anvil 82 The edges 117 on the plunger 77 contact the front surface of the tooth 110 to avoid any additional and unnecessary compression of the trigger 79, and to ensure that the trigger 79 is pulled in the sun ample enough to lightly compress the ear lobe and secure the ear lobe in place before piercing the ear, thus avoiding vigorous and unnecessary contact between the cartridges 20 and 50 with the ear lobe. When the trigger 79 is released, the spring 130 deflects the member 106, causing the plunger 77 to return to its pre-release position (Figure 3). The diverting spring 114 moves the tooth 110 in an ascending fashion, towards the push rod assembly 80. During operation, a new, sterile rod cartridge 20 is removed from its container (not shown) and aligned, so that the finger lever 32, and opposite, flat side sliding surfaces 26, are parallel to opposite walls 36. Similarly, annular shoulder 24 is aligned with opposite grooves 38, and slits 39 in opposite walls 36. Then, the cartridge 20 slides down towards the rod cartridge receiving chamber 35. To ensure that the cartridge 20 can not fall inadvertently from the receiving chamber 35, the finger lever 32 is rotated until the rib 34 engages the cartridge. close 39a on any opposite wall 40a. The U-shaped guides 37 also support the curved surfaces 25 of the cover 22. Similarly, a new, sterile clutch cartridge 20 is also removed from a container (not shown) and is oriented, so that the handle of clutch 57 and the ends 58 are aligned parallel to the slot 84 to receive the ends 58, therein. The clutch cartridge 50 is removed down (arrow A, Figure 10) toward the annular rail 88 and the shoulder 86 on the front surface of the anvil 82 until the rear wall 54 of the clutch cartridge 50 is received leveled against the shoulder 86 The clutch handle 57 is rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction (Figure 9), causing each base 59 to engage the annular rail 88 thereby releasably and releasably locking the clutch cartridge 50 in place on the anvil 82. To secure a proper alignment of the clutch 60, the clutch cartridge 50 is to be rotated, as shown in Figure 6, until the handle 57 engages an edge 86a or 86b, respectively, of the annular shoulder 86. The handle 57 is positioned relative to the clutches 60, so that the rotation of the handle 57, in contact with the shoulder 86 in any direction, causes a respective opening 65 to be substantially coaxial with the push rod 93. The edges 86a, 86b of the shoulder 86, against the handle 57, prevent any further rotation of the clutch cartridge 50 and ensure coaxial alignment of the push rod 93 and the clutch 60. To ensure proper alignment of the push rod 93, the rod 31 and the clutch 60 during launch, the cartridge the stem 20 must be rotated until the rib 34 engages a closure 39a on the inner wall 40a of any wall 36 Also, the handle 57 of the clutch cartridge 50 must be rotated until the handle 57 engages an edge 86a or 86b of the spade Figure 60. The distance between each clutch 60 and the annular shoulder 86, when the handle 57 is rotated in a first direction, is identical to the distance between the shoulder 86 and the opposite clutch 60, when the handle 57 has been rotated in the opposite direction. Similarly, the push rod 93 and the rod 31 are properly aligned for launch, if the rib 34 engages the closure 39a on any inner wall 40a. Accordingly, one of the advantages of the present invention is that the clutch cartridge 50 and the rod cartridge 20 need not be rotated in the same direction for proper alignment. As long as each rod and clutch cartridge has been fully rotated as described above, the push rod 93, the rod 31, and the clutch 60 will be coaxially aligned. The place on the earlobe to be pierced is marked with a sterile pen or the like, to indicate the proper position of the piercing. In an illustrative embodiment, the rod cartridge cover 22 includes the launch slot 16 (Figure 2) which allows the operator to see the tip of each pin. However, the launch slot 16, although small enough to allow the operator to see the tip of the rod 31, is dimensioned to avoid touching it. The tip of the piercing pin 31b may be aligned with the mark on the lobe of the ear After alignment, the operator pulls the trigger 79 causing the push bar 93 to pass through the hole 28 of the car. tucho 20, forcing the stem 31 through the rod cartridge 20 and the ear lobe. The piercing pin 31b has a larger diameter than the distance between the ends 63 of each clutch 60. As the piercing pin 31b passes through the opening 65, the piercing pin 31b passes between the ends 63 of each clutch 60, extending the ends 63 away from each other causing the clutch 60 to secure the rod 71. After actuation of the spring gun 70, the anvil 82 returns to its pre-release position, releasing the pressure with the finger of the trigger 79 and the deflection of the spring 130 against the plunger 77, and the release of the clutch 60 of the clutch cartridge 50, which is attached to the earlobe by the rod 31. After the first ear piercing procedure, which causes the first rod 31 is driven through the ear lobe and fixed to the clutch 60, the loading lever 95 must be returned to the ready launch position, to allow the bar 93 is removed from the interior of the hole 28. As discussed above, to place the loading lever 95 in the ready position of the launch, the loading lever moves laterally in the direction of the arrow G (Figure 3), until the tooth 110 catches the surface 104b of the ramp 104. After, the clutch cartridge 50 and the rod cartridge 20 are rotated approximately 180 ° in a direction opposite to the direction in which each cartridge, originally, was rotated, to align the push rod 93 with the second clutch 60 and remaining, and the second rod 31 and the remainder again, to ensure proper alignment of the push rod 93, the clutch 60 and the rod 31, the rib 34 of the rod cartridge handle 32 must engage the closure 39a of any inner wall 40a of side wall 36 Similarly, the clutch cartridge 50 must be rotated so that the handle 57 engages the opposite edge 86a or 86b of the shoulder 86. Again, the pull of the trigger 79, as discussed above, will cause the release of the push rod 93 towards the head 31a of the remaining rod 31 to complete the second drilling procedure, which is similar in all aspects to the drilling procedure described above with respect to the first rod 31 and the first cartridge 60 As discussed above, the tongue 27 will break as the rod 31 is ejected through the hole 28 This further maintains the sterility of the ear piercing assembly by eliminating the ability to reinsert undesirably another rod for drilling If the tongue 27 is not in place, the rod 31 can not be desirably held within the hole 28 It is also contemplated that the tabs 27 are merely biased to provide a clearance for the rod 31 without cutting accordingly By providing an ear drilling assembly that includes a rotating rod cartridge, a higher level of sterility of the rods is obtained during an ear piercing procedure, thereby reducing the likelihood of human contact with the rods. In addition, by providing an ear piercing assembly that includes a rotating clutch cartridge, a superior level of sterility of the clutches is also obtained during the ear piercing procedure. By providing a rotating ear piercing device, such as a spring gun that can receive a rod and / or rotary clutch cartridge, an assembly is obtained that minimizes the handling of the rod and clutch cartridges during the procedure Ear Piercing In addition, a rotary ear piercing cartridge assembly is more advanced than the prior art assemblies, providing a rod and a clutch, which are easily and accurately aligned prior to piercing the ear lobe. ear By providing the cartridges with detachable retaining structures, the reuse of the product is discouraged by making each cartridge disposable. In this way, it will be seen that the objects set forth above, among those that become apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently obtained. and, since changes can be made in the previous construction without departing from the spirit and the It is intended that all the material contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings can be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should also be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific aspects of the invention. the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, can be said to be within them.