Connecting adapter for weld electrode

An adapter for connecting a weld electrode to a tip holder of a resistance welding device, comprising:

• an electrically and thermally conductive body of some length, said conductive body having a first end and a second end;
• parallel threads located on said first end of said conductive body and adapted to releasably engage a like-threaded receiving cavity in said tip holder;
• a taper located on said second end of said conductive body, said taper increasing in the direction of said first end and adapted to securely mate with an interior portion of a weld electrode;
• a flange located between said first end and said second end of said conductive body, said flange extending outward from said conductive body in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and adapted to abut a mating surface of said tip holder when said threaded portion of said first end is properly engaged with said receiving cavity in said tip holder;
• a longitudinally oriented passageway through said conductive body, from said first end to said second end, said passageway for transporting cooling fluid to said interior portion of said electrode;
• an o-ring groove oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said conductive body and extending around the perimeter thereof, said o-ring groove located between said parallel threads and said flange;
• an o-ring located in said o-ring groove, said o-ring protruding from said o-ring groove an amount sufficient to abut the surface of a groove in said receiving cavity of said tip holder, thereby providing for sealable engagement therewith;
• and
• a structure on said conductive body for allowing engagement by an installation and/or removal tool, thereby allowing for rotational manipulation of said conductive body by said tool;
• whereby weld electrodes can be repeatedly installed to and removed from said second end of said conductive body after its installation to said tip holder, without damage to said tip holder.

An adapter for connecting a weld electrode to a tip holder of a resistance welding device, comprising:

• an electrically and thermally conductive body of some length, said conductive body having a first end and a second end;
• parallel threads located on said first end of said conductive body and adapted to releasably engage a like-threaded receiving cavity in said tip holder;
• a taper located on said second end of said conductive body, said taper increasing in the direction of said first end and adapted to securely mate with an interior portion of a weld electrode;
• a flange located between said first end and said second end of said conductive body, said flange extending outward from said conductive body in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and adapted to abut a mating surface of said tip holder when said threaded portion of said first end is properly engaged with said receiving cavity in said tip holder;
• a longitudinally oriented passageway through said conductive body, from said first end to said second end, said passageway for transporting cooling fluid to said interior portion of said electrode;
• an o-ring groove oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said conductive body and extending around the perimeter thereof, said o-ring groove located between said parallel threads and said flange;
• and
• an o-ring located in said o-ring groove, said o-ring protruding from said o-ring groove an amount sufficient to abut the surface of a groove in said receiving cavity of said tip holder, thereby providing for sealable engagement therewith;
• wherein said flange is adapted to be engaged by an installation and/or removal tool, thereby allowing for rotational manipulation of said conductive body by said tool;
• and
• whereby the threaded engagement between said first end of said conductive body and said tip holder prevents impact forces imparted to said conductive body during installation of a weld electrode thereto from damaging said tip holder.