Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of welding an electrically conductive stud to an electrically conductive metallic object which comprises reducing the cross sectional area of the stud tip in the region designed to contact the metallic object, locking the stud in position against the metallic object by means of a fusible retaining means, supporting said fusible retaining means in spaced relation with respect to said metallic object by a non-fusible arc shield, engaging the other end of said stud opposite from said tip with a stud gun, simultaneously applying a manual force against said stud in the direction of said metallic object and directing a current of predetermined duration through said stud and into said metallic object, the current causing the tip to burn away and start an arc thereby creating an intense heat in the region of said arc, the heat of said arc melting said fusible retaining means and creating molten metal in the region of said arc, continuing the application of manual force in the direction of said metallic object to force said stud beyond the influence of said retaining means and forcing the stud into said molten metal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of welding an electrically conductive stud to an electrically conductive metallic object which comprises reducing the cross sectional area of the stud tip in the region designed to contact the metallic object, locking the stud in position against the metallic object by means of a fusible retaining means, supporting said fusible retaining means in spaced relation with respect to said metallic object by a non-fusible arc shield, engaging the other end of said stud opposite from said tip with a stud gun, simultaneously applying a manual force against said stud in the direction of said metallic object and directing a current of predetermined duration through said stud and into said metallic object, the current causing the tip to burn away and start an arc thereby creating an intense heat in the region of said arc, the heat of said arc melting said fusible retaining means and creating molten metal in the region of said arc, continuing the application of manual force in the direction of said metallic object to force said stud beyond the influence of said retaining means and forcing the stud into said molten metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of welding as set forth in claim 1 including the step of shielding said arc in the region of the tip of said stud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus for welding a metallic stud to a metallic object comprising a stud having a head at one end thereof, a stud tip of reduced cross sectional area at the opposite end of said Stud and adapted to bear against said metallic object, a fusible retaining member adapted to engage said stud adjacent said stud tip so as to hold said stud in a relatively fixed position with respect to said metallic object, non-fusible arc-shield means supporting said fusible retaining member in spaced relation with respect to said metallic object, means for simultaneously applying a manual force said stud in the direction of said metallic object and directing a current of predetermined duration through said stud and into said metallic object so as to melt said stud tip and the portion of said retaining means which holds said stud in said fixed position, whereby the continued application of force from said force applying means forces said stud beyond the influence of said retaining means and into the molten metal created by the melting of said tip. 4. Welding apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stud is provided with a circumferential groove and said retaining means is provided with a plurality of radially inwardly directed fingers received in said groove and wherein said means for supporting said retaining member is a ring-shaped arc shield surrounding said tip and connected to said retaining means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
Welding apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said head on said stud is a threaded nut threadedly engaging said stud and wherein said force applying means is a stud gun having an adapter with a suitably shaped recess therein to receive said nut and the adjacent end of said stud whereby, when said welding operation is completed, said adapter may be rotated so as to rotate said nut on said stud.