Holder for carbon arc electrodes

A holder for a cylindrical carbon arc electrode, comprising:

• an elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end, having an opening therethrough from the forward to the rearward end, and a slot in the bottom side communicating with the opening, the opening being configured in cross-section perpendicular the length of the body to provide an electrode engaging portion opposite said slot, and a slide block receiving portion spaced between said electrode receiving portion and said slot, the slide block receiving portion having opposed ledges to either side of said slot, the ledges being in a common plane tapering from one end of the body to the other;
• an elongated slide block of electrically conducting material of length less than said body having a forward end and a rearward end, the slide block being slidably receivable in said body opening, the bottom thereof being in engagement with said ledges, the slide block having an electrode engaging upper surface having a lengthwise taper of the same angle as the taper of said ledges, the slide block being positioned in said body such that the electrode engaging surface is parallel with the electrode engaging portion of said body opening and such that the spacing therebetween varies according to the position of the slide block member;
• spring means resiliently urging the slide block in the direction to reduce the spacing between said slide block electrode engaging surface and said body electrode engaging surface whereby an electrode positioned therebetween is securely retained;
• and
• a current conducting member affixed to said slide block by which electrical conductivity can be had to an electrode received in said body.