One-touch connection and disconnection method and apparatus

1 . A lead set for use with a plasma arc torch comprising:

a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end; and

a first connector disposed on the first end, the first connector capable of engaging a second connector by causing a compression force in a second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead.

2 . The lead set of claim 1 wherein a second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

3 . The lead set of claim 1 wherein a second connector further comprises a deformable member adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a depression force applied along the longitudinal axis to a second connector.

4 . The lead set of claim 3 wherein a deformable member is adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a linear force applied along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and a second connector.

5 . The lead set of claim 1 further comprising:

a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector via a locking member upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the lead, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

6 . The lead set of claim 5 wherein the locking member further comprises a planar member adapted to disengage the third connector upon application of a linear force applied to the planar member at an angle perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.

7 . The lead set of claim 1 further comprising:

a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector by causing a compression force in a fourth connector upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the lead, a fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

8 . The lead set of claim 7 wherein a second connector and a fourth connector further comprise a first deformable member and a second deformable member adapted to disengage the first connector and the third connector upon application of a depression force applied along the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis to the second connector and the fourth connector, respectively.

9 . The lead set of claim 8 wherein a first deformable member is adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a linear force applied along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and a second connector and a second deformable member is adapted to disengage the third connector and a fourth connector upon application of a second linear force applied along the second longitudinal axis to at least one of the third connector and a fourth connector.

10 . The lead set of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first connector and a second connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when disengaged.

11 . The lead set of claim 1 further comprising a second lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end; and

a third connector disposed on the second lead first end, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector by causing a compression force in a fourth connector upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the second lead, a fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

12 . The lead set of claim 11 wherein the first connector comprises a first feature and the third connector comprises a second feature.

13 . The lead set of claim 12 wherein the first feature and the second feature are one or more of color, size, material, weight, gender, and conductivity.

14 . The lead set of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional leads each additional lead having a first end, a second end, and a body; and

a first connector is disposed on each first end, the first connector capable of engaging a second connector by causing a compression force in a second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of each lead.

15 . The lead set of claim 14 wherein a second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

16 . A plasma arc torch system comprising:

a plasma arc torch member;

a second connector disposed relative to the torch member;

a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end; and

a first connector, disposed on the first end of the lead, engages the second connector by causing a compression force in the second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead.

17 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , wherein the second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

18 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , further comprising:

a power supply;

a fourth connector disposed on the power supply;

a third connector, disposed on the second end of the lead, is adapted to mate with the fourth connector along a second longitudinal axis; and

a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the third connector and the fourth connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector and the fourth connector.

19 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , further comprising:

a power supply;

a fourth connector disposed on the power supply;

a third connector, disposed on the second end of the lead, is adapted to mate with the fourth connector along a second longitudinal axis, the third connector engages the fourth connector by causing a compression force in the fourth connector upon application of a translational force along the second longitudinal axis, the fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

20 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , further comprising:

a nozzle mounted at a first end of the torch member;

an electrode mounted at the first end of the torch member in a mutually spaced relationship with the nozzle to define a plasma chamber; and

a retaining cap mounted on the torch member and substantially enclosing the outer surface of the nozzle.

21 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , further comprising a shield having a central circular opening aligned with the nozzle.

22 . The plasma arc torch system of claim 16 , wherein the plasma arc torch member comprises a plasma arc torch and a coupler, and the second connector is disposed on the coupler.

23 . A method for connecting and disconnecting a lead to a plasma arc torch, comprising:

manipulating a first connector disposed on a first end of the lead relative to a second connector coupled to the plasma arc torch, by performing at least one of:

applying to the first connector a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead causing a compression force in the second connector that engages the first connector and the second connector; or

applying to the second connector a depression force along the longitudinal axis that disengages the first connector and the second connector.

24 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:

applying a linear force along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and the second connector; and

disengaging the first connector and the second connector.

25 . The method of claim 23 wherein the first connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when the first connector is disengaged.

26 . The method of claim 23 wherein the second connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when the second connector is disengaged.

27 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:

disposing, relative to a power supply comprising a housing, a fourth connector adapted to mate with a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead; and

manipulating the third connector relative to the fourth connector with one of a translational force or a depression force to engage or disengage the third connector and the fourth connector.

28 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:

disposing, relative to a power supply comprising a housing, a fourth connector adapted to mate with a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead; and

manipulating the third connector and the fourth connector relative to a locking member with one of a translational force or a linear force to engage or disengage the third connector and the fourth connector.