Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Reexamination Certificate
1996-03-20
2001-05-01
Shaw, Clifford C. (Department: 2106)
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
C219S137710
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225596
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a welder. In particular, the present invention discloses a welding unit which is self-contained and portable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Farmers, ranchers, and other people who work outside may have to perform light maintenance on equipment, fences, or other structures which may require the use of a welder. One of the problems in performing light maintenance outside with a welder is that there may be no readily accessible power source for powering the welder. To address this problem, currently there are some welders which are marketed as portable welders. These welders have a welding torch, a wire feeder, and two twelve volt wet cell batteries. However, these components are not enclosed in a housing.
These type of portable welders pose several problems to a user: (1) the user cannot conveniently transport the welding equipment; (2) because these welders use wet cell batteries, the user cannot store or position the welding unit in any position other than upright; and (3) the current welders are bulky.
First, a user cannot conveniently transport a welder which is not enclosed in a housing. In order for a user to transport these welders, the user must move the batteries separately from the welding torch and the wire feeder. Consequently, a welder which can be conveniently transported would be desirable.
Secondly, because welders use wet cell batteries, a user can only store the welder in an upright position. The batteries must always be in this position so that battery acid does not leak from them. Clearly, a welder which can be stored in any position would be desirable.
Also, current welders are bulky. They do not have a compact design. A compact design makes lifting and positioning a welder more convenient. Clearly, a portable welder having a compact design would be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a portable welding unit packaged in a compact housing. The housing contains a first battery and a second battery connected in series. Each of the batteries is a sealed, non-spillable battery. Each battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The welding unit has a ground clamp and cable electrically connected to the positive terminal of the first sealed, non-spillable battery. The ground clamp and cable extend from the housing and is adapted to be connected to a ground point of an object to be welded. A welding gun and cable are electrically connected to the negative terminal of the second sealed, non-spillable battery. The welding gun and cable extend from the housing. A wire feed mechanism is located in the housing and is connected to the battery for feeding wire through the welding gun. A spool of consumable electrode wire is rotatably connected to the housing. This wire is supplied to the welding gun via the wire feed mechanism.
In operation, the user connects the ground clamp to ground. Next, the user enables the unit so that power is supplied from the batteries contained in the housing. Once the unit is powered up and the gun trigger is activated, the wire electrode is supplied through the welding gun by the wire feed mechanism. The user may then begin welding.
The portable welding unit also has a recharging connection adapted to receive an adapter that allows the user to recharge the batteries. In one embodiment, this recharging connection allows for recharging at twelve volts (12V). Thus, in this embodiment, the batteries in the portable welding unit may be charged using an outlet in an automobile. This feature enhances the portability of the welding unit of the present invention.
One object of the present invention is to provide a portable, self-contained welding unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact portable welding unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a welding unit that can be recharged by connecting the unit to an automobile.
The above objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following description thereof with the appended drawings. However, before referring to the description and to the drawings, it is to be appreciated that the following description shows the presently preferred embodiments only. Accordingly, various modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the following described invention. It is to be further appreciated that to the extent like numerals are used in the various drawings, they describe like components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2866076 (1958-12-01), Aversten
patent: 4590357 (1986-05-01), Winkler
patent: 4705934 (1987-11-01), Winkler
patent: 4801780 (1989-01-01), Hayes
patent: 5086208 (1992-02-01), Habermann
patent: 5233159 (1993-08-01), Day
patent: 5250786 (1993-10-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 5372898 (1994-12-01), Atwater et al.
patent: 5410126 (1995-04-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5437939 (1995-08-01), Beckley
patent: 2650522 (1978-05-01), None
Chandler Thomas D.
West John C.
Century Mfg. Co.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Shaw Clifford C.
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