Self-contained locking trigger assembly and systems which incorporate the assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorGregory W. Bauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A welding system having a welding implement with a self-contained trigger and trigger locking assembly. The self-contained trigger and trigger locking assembly has a trigger which, when operated, regulates the flow of current from a power source. The trigger lock of the assembly has a movable portion which includes a groove which can engage a complementary structure on the trigger to maintain the trigger in an operating position, thereby allowing continued flow of current from the power source.
Claims34
An arc welding system, comprising:
- an electric power source;
- and
- a welding implement electrically coupleable to the electric power source, comprising:
- a handle;
- and
- a self-contained trigger and trigger lock assembly operably coupled to the handle, comprising:
- a trigger which possesses at least two states, wherein each state allows a different amount of an electric current to flow between the electric power source and the welding implement;
- and
- a trigger lock pivotably coupled to the trigger, wherein the trigger lock, when locked, prevents the trigger from changing states.
A welding system, comprising:
- a welding device;
- a welding implement electrically coupleable to the wire-feed welding device, the welding implement comprising a handle configured to securely receive a separable locking trigger assembly, wherein the separable locking trigger assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion configured to be securely receivable by the handle for securing the locking trigger assembly to the handle;
- a trigger that is pivotably secured to the attachment portion, wherein at least one operation of the welding system is controllable by the position of the trigger;
- and
- a trigger lock that is pivotably secured to the attachment portion to maintain the trigger in a desired position.
A welding implement, comprising:
- a handle coupled to the nozzle, wherein the handle is configured to securely receive a self-contained trigger and trigger lock assembly operable to be electrically coupled to a power source, wherein the self-contained trigger and trigger lock assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion configured to be securely receivable by the handle;
- a trigger pivotably secured to the attachment portion, wherein the position of the trigger is configured to direct a flow of a current from the power source to the nozzle;
- and
- a trigger lock pivotably operable to secure the trigger in a desired position to maintain the power source in a desired state of operation.
A welding implement kit, comprising:
- a self-contained trigger and trigger locking assembly comprising:
- a base securable to a welding implement;
- a trigger coupled to the base and positionable relative to the base;
- and
- a trigger lock pivotably positionable relative to the base and adapted to selectively lock the trigger in a desired position relative to the base.
A method of operating a welding system, comprising the acts of:
- activating a welding implement by operating a spring-biased trigger of a self-contained trigger and trigger locking assembly;
- pivoting a spring-biased trigger lock of the self-contained trigger and trigger locking assembly such that a locking region of the trigger lock engages a complementary region of the trigger;
- and
- releasing the spring-biased trigger, wherein resistance created by the engagement of the locking region and the complementary region maintains operation of the welding system.
A method of assembling the handle of a welding implement, comprising the acts of:
- disposing a self-contained trigger and trigger lock within a first handle piece configured to receive the self-contained trigger and trigger lock wherein the trigger lock is pivotably coupled to a trigger;
- and
- joining a second handle piece configured to receive the self-contained trigger and trigger lock to the first handle piece, such that the self-contained trigger and trigger lock is securely held between the first and second handle pieces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.