Rotating Electrical Connection with Locking Axial and Radial Positions for Use in Welding and Cutting Devices.

A welding torch body comprising:

• a distal and a proximal end,
• a receiving member on the proximal end of the welding torch body,
• a central axis of the receiving member,
• a plurality of locking members,
• an electrical connection,
• a release member,
• wherein the receiving member of the welding torch body is configured to receive a lockable gooseneck, when installed in the receiving member the lockable gooseneck:
• is prevented from movement in the axial and radial directions about the central axis of the receiving member by the plurality of locking members, and provided an electrical connection between the lockable gooseneck and welding torch via the electrical connection;
• and by axial movement of the release member about the central axis of the receiving member the plurality of locking members can restore radial and axial movement to the lockable gooseneck.

A welding torch assembly comprising:

• a central axis of the welding torch assembly,
• a rotatable gooseneck, the rotatable gooseneck comprising a distal and a proximal end, a tubular electrical connection on the distal end of the rotatable gooseneck, a plurality of locking features adjacent to the tubular electrical connection,
• a welding torch body, the welding torch body comprising a distal and a proximal end,
• a receiving member on the proximal end of the welding torch body, a plurality of locking members, an electrical connection, and a release member,
• wherein the distal end of the rotatable goose neck is configured to be inserted into the receiving member of the welding torch body and the locking features of the rotatable gooseneck prevents the rotatable gooseneck from moving in the axial and radial directions about the central axis of the welding torch assembly when the rotatable gooseneck is installed in the welding torch body, and the receiving member of the welding torch body is configured to receive the distal end of the rotatable gooseneck, when installed in the receiving member the rotatable gooseneck is prevented from movement in the axial and radial directions about the central axis of the welding torch assembly by the plurality of locking members of the welding torch body, and an electrical circuit is completed between the rotatable gooseneck and welding torch body via the electrical connection of the welding torch body and the tubular electrical connection of the rotatable gooseneck;
• and by axial movement of the release member about the central axis of the welding torch assembly the plurality of locking members of the welding torch body can restore radial and axial movement to the rotatable gooseneck.

A method of operating a welding torch assembly comprising a central axis, a rotatable gooseneck and a welding torch body, the rotatable gooseneck comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an electrical conduction section, and a plurality of locking features, the welding torch body comprising, a proximal end, a distal end, an electrical conduction member, a plurality of locking members, and a release member, the method comprising the steps of:

• unlocking the plurality of locking members of the welding torch body,
• inserting the rotatable gooseneck into the welding torch body along the central axis and completing an electrical connection by bringing the electrical conduction section of the rotatable gooseneck and the conduction member of the welding torch body into mechanical communication,
• during, before or after insertion of the rotatable gooseneck, rotating the rotatable gooseneck about the central axis to achieve a desired radial orientation,
• locking the rotatable gooseneck in the radial and axial directions.