# US 11,305,371 B2 · Tip-retention device for use with a welding system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,371 B2 - Document ID: US11305371B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/953,671 - Filed: 2020-11-20 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-31 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma; Robert J. Centner; Jeffrey G. Wells - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305371B2 ## CPC - B23K 9/291: {the shielding means being a gas} - B23K 9/173: and of a consumable electrode - B23K 9/26: Accessories for electrodes, e.g. ignition tips - B23K 9/323: {Combined coupling means, e.g. gas, electricity, water or the like} - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A welding torch, comprising: a nozzle having a tip-retention device that retains a contact tip, the tip-retention device comprising a radial gas channel in a sidewall of the tip-retention device, the radial gas channel configured to resist spatter collection and direct gas inwardly from a channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The welding torch of claim 1, wherein the tip-retention device further comprises a front rim configured to shield the radial gas channel from weld spatter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The welding torch of claim 2, wherein the tip-retention device further comprises a tip-retention wall having a bore through which the contact tip extends, the front rim being forward of the retention wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The welding torch of claim 3, wherein the tip-retention wall includes a locking taper configured to interface with a taper of the contact tip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The welding torch of claim 4, wherein the gas channel of the tip-retention device comprises a first slot on a first side of the tip-retention wall and a second slot on a second side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The welding torch of claim 5, wherein a diameter of the bore proximate the first side of the tip-retention wall is larger than the diameter of the bore proximate the second side of the tip-retention wall, the second side of the tip retention wall being forward of the first side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The welding torch of claim 6, wherein the front rim is on the second side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 8 A nozzle for use with a welding torch, the nozzle comprising: a tip-retention device that retains a contact tip, the tip-retention device comprising a radial gas channel in a sidewall of the tip-retention device, the radial gas channel configured to resist spatter collection and direct gas inwardly from a channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The nozzle of claim 8, wherein the tip-retention device further comprises a front rim configured to shield the radial gas channel from weld spatter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The nozzle of claim 9, wherein the tip-retention device further comprises a tip-retention wall having a bore through which the contact tip extends, the front rim being forward of the retention wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The nozzle of claim 10, wherein the tip-retention wall includes a locking taper configured to interface with a taper of the contact tip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The nozzle of claim 11, wherein the gas channel of the tip-retention device comprises a first slot on a first side of the tip-retention wall and a second slot on a second side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein a diameter of the bore proximate the first side of the tip-retention wall is larger than the diameter of the bore proximate the second side of the tip-retention wall, the second side of the tip retention wall being forward of the first side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The nozzle of claim 13, wherein the front rim is on the second side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 15 A contact tip retention device for use with a welding torch, comprising: a sidewall; and a gas channel defined by a slot in the sidewall, the slot being configured to direct gas inwardly from a channel, and resist spatter collection by extending radially with respect to an axis of the contact tip retention device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The contact tip retention device of claim 15, further comprising a front rim configured to shield the gas channel from weld spatter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The contact tip retention device of claim 16, further comprising a tip-retention wall attached to the sidewall, the sidewall encircling a hollow interior. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The contact tip retention device of claim 17, wherein the tip-retention wall further comprises a bore configured to receive a contact tip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The contact tip retention device of claim 18, wherein the slot comprises a first slot on a first side of the tip-retention wall, and wherein the contact tip retention device further comprises a second slot on a second side of the tip-retention wall, the second slot also being configured to resist spatter collection by extending radially with respect to an axis of the contact tip retention device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The contact tip retention device of claim 19, wherein the front rim is on the second side of the tip-retention wall. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The welding torch of claim 1, wherein the tip-retention device defines the channel, and wherein the channel directs gas outwardly from a gas diffuser to the radial gas channel.