Suspension device for workpieces to be treated in an electrical glow discharge

Claim 1

In a glow discharge device including a metal discharge container, a power source and an insulated current lead-in from one pole of said source into said container, a suspension device arranged within said container adapted to suspend workpieces to be treated by the glow discharge, the suspension device comprising: an upper and a lower bolt disposed vertically in substantial axial alignment, the upper end of the upper bolt being conductively connected to said current lead-in, the loWer end of the upper bolt having an enlarged head of which the upper portion is shaped with a convex surface; the upper end of said lower bolt being formed with an enlarged head adjacent but below said head of the upper bolt and having the lower portion shaped with a convex surface, the lower end of said lower bolt having means thereon for supporting workpieces; a metallic housing electrically connecting said both bolts, said housing enclosing both said heads and providing play between the housing walls and the heads and between the heads, axially opposite ends of the housing having openings for the shafts of said bolts, the inner housing surfaces surrounding said openings being concave and providing surfaces slidably engaging said convex surface portions of said heads, so that the lower bolt carrying said workpieces is pendulous relative to the upper bolt and capable of swinging into a vertical position.