Animal ear tag applicators

Claim 1

An applicator for an animal ear tag, said applicator including first and second jaw members, first and second handles respectively extending from and being integral with said first and second jaw members with the handles and jaw members being pivotally interconnected to perform a pliers-type action, spring means biassing the handles away from each other, a pin member pivotally mounted on said first jaw member for movement between an engage position directed toward the second jaw member and a release position, a recess and aligned aperture in said second jaw member to receive said pin member in said engage position, a locking bar pivotally mounted on a side of said first jaw member remote from said second jaw member and having an aperture dimensioned to seat over an extension of said pin and lock said pin in the engage position when the jaw members are open, a release rod mounted on the second jaw member and directed towards the first jaw member, said release rod being arranged to engage the locking bar when the jaw members are closed and pivot said locking bar to unseat the aperture from the pin extension and thereby permit pivotal movement of said pin to the release position, a plate pivotally mounted on the second jaw member, one end of said plate being slotted and said plate being spring biassed to urge said slotted end toward the second jaw member to overlie the recess and aperture and provide a passage for said pin member.