Rotating electrical connection with locking axial and radial positions for use in welding and cutting devices with a non-conductive coupling

A receiving member, having proximal and distal ends, for use in a MIG welding torch body, comprising:

• a locking section;
• a release member having a slot configured to allow the release member to expand in a radial direction;
• a conductive section;
• and
• a non-conductive coupling, wherein:
• the locking section and the conductive section are attachable to one another via the non-conductive coupling, and during assembly and operation the conductive section completes an electrical circuit that is independent of the locking section,
• a first bolt and a second bolt pass through the non-conductive coupling in an axial direction extending along a central axis of the receiving member,
• the first bolt is threaded into the locking section and passes toward the proximal end of the receiving member,
• the second bolt is threaded into the conductive section and passes toward the distal end of the receiving member, and
• the locking section and the conductive section are mechanically attached.

A method of using a receiving member in a MIG welding torch assembly, the receiving member including a locking section, a release member having a slot configured to allow the release member to expand in a radial direction, and a conductive section, wherein the locking section and the conductive section are configured to be attached, the method comprising:

• electrically isolating the locking section from a current path of the conductive member;
• preventing a rotation of the locking section relative to the conductive member about a central axis;
• preventing a rotation of the receiving member relative to the MIG welding torch assembly relative to the central axis;
• and
• attaching the locking section and the conductive section to one another via a non-conductive coupling, wherein a first bolt and a second bolt pass through the non-conductive coupling in an axial direction along the central axis of the receiving member, wherein the first bolt is threaded into the locking section and passes toward a proximal end of the receiving member, and the second bolt is threaded into the conductive section and passes toward a distal end of the receiving member.

A method of operating a MIG welding torch assembly comprising a gooseneck rotatable along a central axis and a MIG welding torch body,

• the gooseneck having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrical conduction section and a first plurality of locking members,
• the MIG welding torch body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, an electrical conduction member, a locking section, a conductive section, a second plurality of locking members, a non-conductive coupling and a release member having a slot configured to allow the release member to expand in a radial direction, the method comprising the steps of:
• unlocking and inserting the first plurality of locking members into the MIG welding torch body along the central axis and completing an electrical connection by bringing the electrical conduction section of the gooseneck and the conduction member of the MIG welding torch body into mechanical communication;
• electrically isolating the first plurality of locking members and the second plurality of locking members from electrical current during, before or after insertion of the rotatable gooseneck,
• rotating the gooseneck about the central axis to achieve a desired radial orientation, locking the rotatable gooseneck in radial and axial directions along the central axis;
• attaching the locking section and the conductive section to one another via the non-conductive coupling, wherein a first bolt and a second bolt pass through the non-conductive coupling in an axial direction and along the central axis of the receiving member, wherein the first bolt is threaded into the locking section and passes towards the proximal end of the MIG welding torch body, and
• the MIG welding torch body is locked and unlocked by axial movement of the release member about the central axis of the receiving member.