Earth electrode apparatus

Abstract

In an earth electrode apparatus, a cradle having first, second, and third shanks to which first, second, and third earth electrodes can be attached respectively is coupled to a shaft supported by a base. The cradle is coupled thereto in a tiltable manner. If the surface of a workpiece is irregular or inclined, the cradle tilts for balancing with the workpiece to ensure equal contact pressure for the contact of the first, second, and third earth electrodes with the workpiece, thereby offering stable contact irrespective of surface irregularity or inclination. Since a welding current is split to flow into the first, second, and third earth electrodes through respective points of contact thereof with the workpiece, it is possible to reduce current density at each of the points of contact and to avoid heat generation ascribable to conductive resistance at each of the points of contact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.