Patent US3909585A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3909585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arc welding torch
Assignee: Tweco Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An improved arc welding torch is provided wherein the welding torch comprises in combination a body portion having at one end an inlet for the introduction of inert gas; a head portion attached to the body portion at the end remote from the inlet for the introduction of inert gas and having at the opposite end an outlet for the discharge of inert gas, the head portion being in electrical contact with the body portion; a first conduit through the body portion for passage of the inert gas therethrough and a second conduit in the head portion for the passage of inert gas therethrough, the first and second conduits being in fluid communication; means for passing electric current through the body portion and head portion; and electrode means in electrical contact with the head portion, the improvement wherein the body portion includes a plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints and means associated with the same to maintain the ball and socket joints in any configuration to which the plurality of coaxial ball and socket joints are deformed. This allows the arc welding torch, and the electrode in particular to have access to portions of the workpiece which would be normally inaccessible.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold D Sanders
- 👤 Thomas C Landreth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/24; B23K9/28; B23K9/29; B23K9/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In a welding torch comprising in combination: a body portion having at one end an inlet for the introduction of inert gas; a head portion attached at one end to the end of said body portion remote said inlet for the introduction of inert gas and having at the opposite end an outlet for the discharge of inert gas, said head portion being in electrical contact with said body portion; a first conduit through said body portion for passage of inert gas therethrough; a second conduit in said head portion for the passage of inert gas therethrough, said first conduit being in fluid communication with said second conduit; means for passing electric current through said body portion and said head portion; and electrode means in electrical contact with said head portion; the improvement wherein said body portion includes a plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints and means associated with said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints comprising a spring tensioned wire passing through and maintaining said ball and socket joints under compressive forces, the spring being axially aligned with said ball and socket joints, to maintain said ball and socket joints in any configuration to which said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints are deformed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a welding torch comprising in combination: a body portion having at one end an inlet for the introduction of inert gas; a head portion attached at one end to the end of said body portion remote said inlet for the introduction of inert gas and having at the opposite end an outlet for the discharge of inert gas, said head portion being in electrical contact with said body portion; a first conduit through said body portion for passage of inert gas therethrough; a second conduit in said head portion for the passage of inert gas therethrough, said first conduit being in fluid communication with said second conduit; means for passing electric current through said body portion and said head portion; and electrode means in electrical contact with said head portion; the improvement wherein said body portion includes a plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints and means associated with said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints comprising a spring tensioned wire passing through and maintaining said ball and socket joints under compressive forces, the spring being axially aligned with said ball and socket joints, to maintain said ball and socket joints in any configuration to which said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints are deformed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The welding torch of claim 1, wherein said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints includes two balls and two sockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The welding torch of claim 1, further including sufficient clearance between said wire passing through said co-axial ball and socket joints and the balLs and sockets to allow passage of an inert gas therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The welding torch of claim 1, wherein said spring tensioned wire further includes crimp means at opposite ends of said wire and means retaining said crimps means from axial movement in said welding torch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The welding torch of claim 1, further including collet means to retain said electrode in said head portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The welding torch of claim 1, further including an insulating cover over at least a portion of said head portion, said electrode extending beyond said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The welding torch of claim 1, further including an insulating cover over at least a part of said body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The welding torch of claim 7, wherein the insulating cover over at least a part of said body portion is flexible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The welding torch of claim 1, wherein said head portion includes a section at an angle of 90* to said body section and said electrode is positioned in said section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A welding torch comprising: a head portion having a first conduit for passage of inert gas therethrough; a body portion having a second conduit therethrough, said first and second conduits being in fluid communication one with the other; a plurality of ball and socket joints at one end of said body portion, said ball and socket joints being adjacent said head portion and co-axial with said head and body portions; a spring tensioned wire passing through said ball and socket joints holding said ball and socket joints in compression for maintaining electrical continuity and fluid communication integrity through a central co-axial passage of said ball and socket joints; a passage through the length of said welding torch including said first and second conduits, said passage suitable for passing inert gas therethrough in sufficient volume to provide a gas shield around an electrode at the exit end of said head portion; and an electrode means in electrical contact with said head portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A welding torch comprising: a head portion having a first conduit for passage of inert gas therethrough; a body portion having a second conduit therethrough, said first and second conduits being in fluid communication one with the other; a plurality of ball and socket joints at one end of said body portion, said ball and socket joints being adjacent said head portion and co-axial with said head and body portions; a spring tensioned wire passing through said ball and socket joints holding said ball and socket joints in compression for maintaining electrical continuity and fluid communication integrity through a central co-axial passage of said ball and socket joints; a passage through the length of said welding torch including said first and second conduits, said passage suitable for passing inert gas therethrough in sufficient volume to provide a gas shield around an electrode at the exit end of said head portion; and an electrode means in electrical contact with said head portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The welding torch of claim 10, wherein said plurality of co-axial ball and socket joints includes two balls and two sockets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The welding torch of claim 10, wherein said spring tensioned wire further includes crimp means at opposite ends of said wire and means retaining said crimp means from axial movement in said welding torch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The welding torch of claim 10, further including an insulating cover over at least a portion of said head portion, said insulating cover for preventing an electrical path between said head portion and an object in contact with said head portion, said electrode extending from said head portion and beyond said insulating cover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The welding torch of claim 10, further including an insulating cover over at least a part of said body portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The welding torch of claim 14, wherein the insulating cover over at least a part of said body portion is flexible for permitting said ball and socket joints to assume and retain a deformed position to which the same are moved.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The welding torch of claim 10, wherein said head portion includes a section at an angle of 90* to said body section and said electrode is positioned in said section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |