Welding torch attachment

Details Welding torch attachment Welding torch attachment

1999-12-03

2001-06-19

Shaw, Clifford C. (Department: 1725)

Electric heating

Metal heating

By arc

C219S136000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06248977

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an attachment for a welding torch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a welding torch flash shield.
BACKGROUND ART
Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, also known as metal or plasma arc welding, is well known in the art. This type of welding employs a continuous feed of welding wire through a welding torch. The tip of the welding wire exposed at the end of the torch serves as the source material that is welded onto a workpiece. In addition, an inert gas, such as argon or helium, is supplied through the welding torch to form an inert atmosphere about the wire tip. The welding torch produces a high temperature discharge which ionizes the gas and causes a plasma arc to form between the tip of the welding wire and a workpiece. This arc causes the welding wire to melt thus supplying molten metal that creates the weld. The plasma arc, however also produces an intense flash of light that can be damaging to eyes that are not adequately protected. Currently, such welding torches are often used by robots for precision welding, not requiring direct human interaction. It is sometimes necessary, however, for personnel to work in the vicinity of these welding torches. These personnel may be close enough so that the flash from the welding arc may still cause damage to their eyes. It would, therefore, be advantageous to provide a shield on welding torches to substantially block the intense flash of light produced during a welding operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to certain features, characteristics, embodiments and alternatives of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds below, the present invention provides a welding torch flash shield for use with a welding torch. The torch includes a nozzle end with a welding wire extending therefrom. The welding torch flash shield comprises a sleeve having a plurality of flexible strands. The sleeve has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end is configured to receive a peripheral portion of the nozzle end such that the sleeve extends from the nozzle end and shrouds the welding wire. A retainer is configured to couple the flexible elongated sleeve to the periphery of the nozzle end. The second end of the sleeve extends beyond the nozzle end and covers the welding wire.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a welding torch flash shield having a plurality of flexible elongated bristles which form a flexible elongate sleeve having first and second ends. A retainer is configured to position the first end about a periphery of the nozzle end of a welding torch. The second end extends from the nozzle end and is configured to shroud the welding wire.
According to an aspect of the present invention, in combination with such a welding torch, the second open end of the welding torch flash shield extends beyond and flares radially from the welding wire. Alternatively, the elongate sleeve may comprise a plurality of ceramic bristles that are received in a collar which can be coupled to the periphery of the nozzle end. In a further alternative, the elongate sleeve may comprise a plurality of ceramic bristles.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1552369 (1925-09-01), White
patent: 1749765 (1930-03-01), Hendrickson
patent: 2410306 (1946-10-01), Romberg
patent: 2549804 (1951-04-01), Graham
patent: 2928933 (1960-03-01), Andriola
patent: 3536888 (1970-10-01), Borneman
patent: 3739133 (1973-06-01), Kadlez et al.
patent: 4672163 (1987-06-01), Matsui et al.
patent: 4783584 (1988-11-01), Hecker
patent: 4891489 (1990-01-01), Bollinger et al.
patent: 5796070 (1998-08-01), Karp
McMaster-Carr catalog, “Ceramic Sleeve Packing”, p. 2797, date unknown.

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