Combustion – Flame holder having attached handle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-09-25
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Flame holder having attached handle
C431S344000, C239S588000, C239S587400, C285S146100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293785
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a torch of the type used to weld, cut, or solder. More specifically, to a flexible torch made from segments that allow flexing of the torch to allow the user to adjust the length and contour of the reach of the torch.
(b) Discussion of Known Art
The need for a torch that can flex as well as become elongated has existed for some time. The approach at providing flexibility in a torch, however, has typically focused on the use of a flexible duct, such as ducts made from a metallic spiral duct. An example of such a device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 1,516,655 to Wade. The Wade invention includes a pair of flexible ducts, one for carrying oxygen and one for carrying a fuel gas. The Wade device, solves problems associated with torches that were made from rigid components, namely that they were virtually useless in confined or difficult to reach places. However, the Wade device suffers from the limitation that it is of a fixed length. Because of its fixed length, the user may still encounter awkward situations where the user must curl up the body of the device to take up the excessive length.
Another example of a torch with a flexible body is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,203,210 to Young. The Young invention teaches the use of a flexible nozzle, which suffers from the same limitations as the Wade device. The Young device is made in set lengths, making the nozzle particularly well suited for some applications, but awkward or even useless in other applications. Thus, the Young device is particularly well suited for applications where the nozzle will remain at a fixed distance from the work piece, but does not provide guidance for applications in which the user is likely to different lengths, or different stiffnesses in the neck or body of the torch.
The approach of providing a fixed length torch with a flexible section again appears in U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,243 to Cononie, which adds a rigid casing to the flexible torch to add versatility to the device. This arrangement allows the user to remove the casing to expose the flexible lines of the torch to allow use of the torch as a flexible torch, and allows the use of the casing along the flexible portion to allow the use of the torch much like other teaches which include a rigid body. A significant disadvantage of this arrangement is that the user is again limited to a fixed length device. Thus the length of the neck or flexible portion of the torch must be compromised to provide a length that is suitable for most applications found in the field.
Yet another torch that provides flexibility to its tip is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D320,726 to Gartin. The Gartin device provides flexibility to a central portion of the torch, but suffers from the same limitations as other known flexible torches.
Thus, a review of known art indicates that there is a need for a flexible torch of a length that can be adjusted in the field.
There remains a need for a torch with a body that can be modified to allow for quick adjustment and modification in the field.
There remains a need for a flexible, bendable torch that can be bent or turned without exhibiting a propensity to return to its unbent shape.
SUMMARY
It has been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a torch that includes:
a neck portion that includes at least two sections that are pivotally connected to one another;
a connector end that has been adapted for receiving gas delivery at one end and adapted for accepting the neck portion on the other end; and
a tip connector that has been adapted for receiving the neck portion at one end and adapted for receiving or attaching a nozzle on the other end.
According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the neck portion consists of several connectors. In one example, the connectors consist of line sections similar to those sold under the trademark Loc-Line by the Lockwood Company of Portland Oregon. In this example, the connector end includes one section that has been adapted for receiving a standard feed line for gas, such as propane fuel. The other end of the connector end includes a connection that has been adapted for receiving a pivotable connector such as the Loc-Line brand of connector.
The tip connector includes a first end that has been adapted for accepting a pivotable connector such as the Loc-Line brand of connector, and a second end. The second end of the tip connector has been adapted for accepting a nozzle, such as a nozzle for brazing, cutting, or simply heating an area.
Thus it will be understood that the disclosed arrangement provides important new and useful results in that the length of the neck of the torch can be lengthened or shortened by simply adding or removing sections of pivotable connectors. Thus, the user may create a torch with a very long neck that can wrap around a large pipe or get into a very restricted area.
Also of importance is that the removability of the intermediate sections allows the user to further modify the torch by inserting various components between the connector end and the tip connector. For example, if a particular situation requires that the user add a section that includes a venturi type of device, or a connector with an external component that included specialized gripping, support, or illumination features, then the user would simply add this connector between the connector end and the tip connector.
Additionally, it is important to note that it is contemplated that the disclosed neck portion may be easily protected or sealed by simply adding a section of extendible, flexible sleeve of tubing over the connector sections. This would add insulation to the neck portion to prevent inadvertent, unprotected exposure of the neck section to flame from the tip. Also, the sleeve would serve to capture or contain any gas that could escape from between the joints or connections of the connector end, the neck section, and the tip connector.
It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1087006 (1914-02-01), Fitzsimons
patent: 1222319 (1917-04-01), Mueller
patent: 2191077 (1940-02-01), Kehl
patent: 3994674 (1976-11-01), Baumann et al.
patent: 5032015 (1991-07-01), Christianson
patent: 5386644 (1995-02-01), Lawall et al.
patent: 5765292 (1998-06-01), Chan
Crabtree Edwin H.
Pizarro Ramon L.
Yeung James C.
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