Welding flash protection apparatus
View Patent ↗A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine with gas shielding is disclosed, the apparatus providing for delay of the welding flash thereby preventing the typically inherent fraction of a second delay between flash and lens darkening, hence protecting the eyes. The apparatus provides a complete helmet or apparatus components for fitment to an existing helmet. The apparatus provides a unique transmitter antenna mount for the shielding gas tank.
1. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine and a welding helmet with a photochromatic lens, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
a combined microprocessor/transmitter;
means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;
a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter;
a receiver antenna;
means for connecting the receiver antenna to the welding helmet;
a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens;
wherein the receiver antenna is affixed to the welding helmet via a receiver antenna mount;
wherein the receiver antenna mount is comprised of:
a mounting surface, the mounting surface for attachment to the helmet;
two opposing spaced apart clips of the receiver antenna mount;
an antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;
a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of a circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the receiver antenna mount.
2. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine and a welding helmet with a photochromatic lens, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
a combined microprocessor/transmitter;
means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;
a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter;
a receiver antenna;
means for connecting the receiver antenna to the welding helmet;
a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens;
wherein the transmitter antenna communicates with the microprocessor/transmitter via wire;
wherein the receiver antenna is affixed to the welding helmet via a receiver antenna mount;
wherein the receiver antenna mount is comprised of a plurality of receiver antenna mounts, each receiver antenna mount comprising:
a mounting surface, the mounting surface for attachment to the helmet;
two opposing spaced apart clips of the receiver antenna mount;
an antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;
a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of a circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the antenna mount.
3. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine with a shielding gas tank, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
a combined microprocessor/transmitter;
means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;
a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter, the antenna comprised of:
a metallic stalk;
a transmitter antenna end on the stalk;
a removably affixed transmitter antenna mount tank block for the transmitter antenna, the tank block for removably affixing to the shielding gas tank or the welding machine;
a welding helmet, the helmet having an outer circumference;
a photochromatic lens in the welding helmet;
a receiver antenna;
a plurality of receiver antenna mounts, each receiver antenna mount comprising:
two opposing sides;
a mounting surface, the mounting surface connecting to each side;
two opposing clips of the receiver antenna mount, each clip atop an opposing side;
a concave antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;
a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of the outer circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the antenna mount;
a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens.
4. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein the transmitter tank block is magnetic.
5. The apparatus in claim 4 wherein the tank block is a polyhedron.
6. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein the polyhedron is comprised of seven sides, the sides comprising:
an outside having a length and a width;
two opposing ends, each end having a length and a width, each end connected to the outside;
two slant sides, each slant side having a length and a width, each slant side connected to an opposite end;
a block V connecting the two slant sides;
two opposing sides, each of the opposing sides connected to the outside, the opposing ends, one slant side, and the block V.
7. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein the tank block is affixed with a plurality of magnets.
8. The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the tank block is a polyhedron.
9. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the polyhedron is comprised of seven sides, the sides comprising:
an outside having a length, the outside fitted with at least one of the magnets;
two opposing ends, each end connected to the outside;
two slant sides, each slant side connecting to an opposite end, each slant side affixed with at least one magnet;
a block V connecting the two slant sides;
two opposing sides, each of the opposing sides connected to the outside, the opposing ends, one slant side, and the block V.