Retroreflective animal identification tag

• US 5,520,417 A
• Filed: 08/25/1994
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Kennemer
• Original Assignee: Michael S. Kennemer
• Inventors: Kennemer, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US08/295,933
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 283/74, 283/75, 283/91, 283/101, 40/300, 40/301, 40/302, 40/303, 40/304
• US Class Current: 283/74
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/00 Marking of animals marking poultry or other birds A01K35/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/001 Ear-tags

Abstract

A retroreflective animal tag, such as an ear tag or the like, which has a reflective surface with wide angularity and high reflectivity.

Claims

1. A retroreflective warning animal tag for reflecting light from a headlight on a vehicle to a driver in the vehicle, comprising:

a tag base with at least one retroreflective surface secured thereto;

a shaft attached to the tag base for passing through an animals ear;

a keeper attached to the shaft to hold the shaft in the animals ear and wherein the retroreflective surface has a minimum photometric performance of 30 candlepower per foot-candle per square foot at an observation angle of 0.02 degrees and entrance angle of -4 degrees.

2. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective covering has a minimum photometric performance of 60 candlepower per foot-candle per square foot at an observation angle of 0.02 degrees and entrance angle of -4 degrees.

3. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective surface has one or more apertures therein in the shape of an identification character.

4. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 having two or more generally flat retroreflective surfaces.

5. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective surface has an angularity of at least 75°

.

6. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective surface has an angularity of at least 80°

.

7. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective surface is secured to the base with an adhesive.

8. The retroreflective warning animal tag of claim 1 further comprising:

reflective characters for attaching over the retroreflective surface wherein the characters have an adhesive backing for attaching characters to the retroreflective surface.

11. The kit of claim 7 wherein the retroreflective surface has an angularity of at least 75°

.

9. A kit for making a retroreflective warning animal tag from an existing animal tag comprising:

a retroreflective covering having an adhesive back for attaching to an existing animal tag, wherein the retroreflective covering is pre-cut to a size and shape for attachment to at least one surface on the existing animal tag and wherein the retroreflective covering has a minimum photometric performance of 30 candlepower per foot-candle per square foot at an observation angle of 0.02 degrees and entrance angle of -4 degrees.

10. The kit of claim 9 wherein the retroreflective covering has one or more apertures therein to reveal an identification character.

12. A retroreflective warning animal tag for reflecting light from a headlight on a vehicle to a driver in the vehicle, comprising:

a tag base for attaching to an animal and at least one retroreflective surface secured to the tag base wherein the retroreflective surface has a minimum photometric performance of 30 candlepower per foot-candle per square foot at an observation angle of 0.02 degrees and entrance angle of -4 degrees; and

wherein the retroreflective surface is secured to the base with an adhesive.