Air-cooled welding gun

Claim 2

A welding gun for consumable electrode welding, comprising: a nozzle structure, a handle structure for the nozzle structure said handle structure comprising: an adapter tube having one end thereof shaped to communicate with the said nozzle structure, said adapter tube including means for connecting same to a source of electrical energy and means for guiding the welding wire through same into said nozzle structure, and a shell structure overlying said adapter tube including a hand gripping portion for gripping by the operator, and means for releasably securing said handle structure to said nozzle structure, said securing means comprising: portions of said nozzle structure and said handle structure being slotted longitudinally thereof and arranged in substantial concentric overlapping relation over said adapter tube, and means for releasably but fixedly clamping said nozzle and handle structure portions to said adapter tube to secure said structures together against relative movement therebetween, whereby the position of said nozzle structure relative to said handle structure is normally fixed but on release of said clamping means may be adjusted to any position 360* about said adapter tube.

Claim 3

A welding gun for consumable electrode welding, said gun comprising: a nozzle structure, a handle structure for the nozzle structure, said handle structure comprising: an adapter tube having one end thereof shaped to communicate with the said nozzle structure, said adapter tube including means for connecting same to a source of electrical energy and means for guiding the welding wire through same into said nozzle structure, a shell structure overlying said adapter tube including a hand gripping portion for gripping by the operator, means for releasably securing said handle structure to said nozzle structure, said securing means comprising: portions of said nozzle structure and said handle structure being slotted longitudinally thereof and arranged in substantial concentric overlapping relation over said adapter tube, and means for releasably but fixedly clamping said nozzle and handle structure portions to said adapter tube to secure said structures together against relative movement therebetween, whereby the position of said nozzle structure relative to said handle structure is normally fixed but on release of said clamping means may be adjusted to any position 360* about said adapter tube, said handle structure shell structure being sectionalized longitudinally thereof, and means for releasably securing said handle structure sections together over said adapter tube, and means for connecting said adapter tube to a source of arc shielding gas under pressure.

Claim 4

A welding gun for consumable electrode welding, said gun comprising: a nozzle structure, a handle structure for the nozzle structure, said handle structure comprising: an adapter tube having one end thereof shaped to communicate with the said nozzle structure, said adapter tube including means for connecting same to a source of electrical energy and means for guiding the welding wire through same into said nozzle structure, a shell structure overlying said adapter tube including a hand gripping portion for gripping by the operator, means for releasably securing said handle structure to said nozzle structure, said securing means comprising: portions of said nozzle structure and said handle structure being slotted longitudinally thereof and arranged in substantial concentric overlapping relation over said adapter tube, and means for releasably but fixedly clamping said nozzle and handle structure portions to said adapter tube to secure said structures together against relative movement therebetween, whereby the position of said nozzle structure relative to said handle structure is normally fixed but on release of said clamping means may be adjusted to any position 360* about said adapter tube, said handle structure shell structure being sectionalized longitudinally thereof, and means for releasably securing said handle structure sections together over said adapter tube, and means for connecting said adapter tube to a source of arc shielding gas under pressure.

Claim 5

The welding gun set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said adapter tube to the source of shielding gas comprises: a pair of communicating bores formed in one of the housing sections, meAns for connecting one of said bores to the source of shielding gas, means for connecting the other of said bores to said adapter tube, and means for sealing the connection between said other bore and said adapter tube.

Claim 6

The welding gun set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said adapter tube to the source of shielding gas comprises: a manifold device secured to said adapter tube in sealing relation thereto, said manifold device comprises a body formed with conduit means providing connections for securing same between the shielding gas source and the bore of said adapter tube, said housing structure sections and said manifold body being formed for interfitting relation to restrain said manifold body against displacement relative to said adapter tube.

Claim 7

The welding gun set forth in claim 1 wherein: said handle structure shell structure is sectionalized longitudinally thereof, and including means for releasably securing said handle structure shell structure sections together over said adapter tube, said clamping means being adjacent one end of said handle structure, said releasable securing means comprising a cap removably received over said shell structure sections at the other end of said handle structure, screw means interconnecting said sections intermediate said ends of said handle structure, and said clamping means.

Claim 8

The welding gun set forth in claim 5 wherein: said shell structure sections define a sectionalized trigger switch chamber that is completed when said sections are secured together, and including: a trigger switch positioned in said chamber, and mounting pin means extending between said housing sections and said switch for mounting said switch in said chamber.

Claim 9

The welding gun set forth in claim 6 including: a trigger for actuating said switch, said trigger comprising: a trigger member positioned in overlying relation to said switch within an opening defined by said shell structure sections on one side of said handle structure, and means for spring biasing said trigger member outwardly of said shell structure for engagement by the thumb of the operator for actuating said switch by depressing said trigger member, said trigger member including flange means received within and under said shell structure to retain said trigger member within said shell structure.

Claim 10

The welding gun set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said adapter tube to a source of shielding gas comprises: a manifold device mounted on said adapter tube and comprising a one piece body fixed to said adapter tube and providing connections for securing same between the shielding gas source and the bore of said adapter tube.