Granted Patent B2

US 12,202,085 · App. 16/987,703 · Granted Jan 21, 2025

Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner (Frankfort, IL); Robert Lloyd Warning (Cedar Lake, IL)

Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

B23K9/295B23K9/123B23K9/173B23K9/325

Abstract

Claims (17)

1. A method of securing a contact tip to a welding torch, comprising:

partially securing the contact tip to a receiver of the welding torch by applying an axial force on the contact tip in a first direction into the receiver until a recess in the contact tip aligns with a retainer and the retainer engages the recess in the contact tip; and

fully securing the contact tip to the receiver by securing the retainer to the contact tip, the securing of the retainer comprising securing a welding nozzle to the receiver to apply a radially inward force to the retainer while the retainer is engaged in the recess of the contact tip,

wherein a retention band disposed around the retainer provides a first force on the retainer that partially secures the contact tip to the receiver and wherein the first force is provided via an abutment between the retention band and the retainer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the axial force and securing the welding nozzle is accomplished without a use of tools.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the axial force urges the contact tip into the receiver and brings the contact tip into contact with the retainer that partially secures the contact tip to the receiver.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the retainer is positioned within a radial orifice of the receiver.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the retention band is elastically deformable.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the welding nozzle to the receiver causes the retention band to abut the welding nozzle, thereby providing the radially inward force on the retainer that fully secures the contact tip to the receiver.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the welding nozzle is secured to the receiver via screw threads.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the welding nozzle from the receiver; and

removing the contact tip from the receiver by applying an axial force on the contact tip in a second direction away from the receiver.

9. A method of securing a contact tip to a welding torch, comprising:

partially securing the contact tip to a receiver of the welding torch by applying an axial force on the contact tip in a first direction into the receiver until a recess in the contact tip aligns with a retainer and the retainer engages the recess in the contact tip;

fully securing the contact tip to the receiver by securing the retainer to the contact tip, the securing of the retainer comprising securing a welding nozzle to the receiver to apply a radially inward force to the retainer while the retainer is engaged in the recess of the contact tip; and

cooling the contact tip using at least one cooling channel extending parallel to an axis of the receiver, wherein the at least one cooling channel abuts at least fifty percent of a surface area of the contact tip within the receiver.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (3)

References Cited (201)