Connection fitting and connection method using the same

A connection fitting for interconnecting a two-electrode integrated welding torch unit having two connection portions and a shock sensor unit having two attachment ports, wherein the connection fitting is adapted to be fixed to each connection portion of the two-electrode integrated welding torch unit by use of tubular fastening parts to connect each of the connection portions of the two-electrode integrated welding torch unit to corresponding one of the attachment ports of the shock sensor unit, the connection fitting comprising:

• a tubular fitting body including a first end formed with a tubular connection portion to be connected to the shock sensor unit and a second end which is opposite to the first end, the second end having a spherical shaft-shaped connection portion which is integrally formed with a first partial spherical surface and a second partial spherical surface each having a difference curvature to be connected to the connection portion of the two-electrode integrated welding torch unit;
• a first bearing member ring-shaped to have an inner surface formed with a first sliding surface slidable with respect to the first partial spherical surface of the spherical shaft-shaped connection portion, the first bearing member being configured to be attached to the fitting body from a first-end side of the tubular fitting body in a state in which the first partial spherical surface and the first sliding surface are opposed to each other;
• a second bearing member ring-shaped to have an inner surface formed with a second sliding surface slidable with respect to the second partial spherical surface of the spherical shaft-shaped connection portion, the second bearing member being configured to be attached to the fitting body from a second-end side of the tubular fitting body in a state in which the second partial spherical surface and the second sliding surface are opposed to each other and the second bearing member contacts an end surface of the connection portion of the two-electrode integrated welding torch unit,
• wherein the second bearing member includes a sliding contact portion having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the fastening parts, the sliding contact portion configured to slidably contact the end surface of the connection portion of the two-electrode integrated welding torch unit.