Patent ID: 9630270
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: B23K

Claim:
1. A stud feed assembly comprising: a stud loader and a stud catcher, wherein the stud loader has a first chute component and a second chute component; the first chute component having a first entry end, a first exit end, and a first diameter; the second chute component having a second entry end, a second exit end, and a second diameter, wherein the second chute component is semi-circular along a longitudinal span defined by the second entry end to the second exit end, wherein the second chute component is attached to an exterior surface of the first chute component; the first entry end and the second entry end having an opening configured to accept and align a plurality of studs in an end-to-end relationship; the second exit end having an angled surface configured to guide at least one stud of a plurality of studs out of the chute and toward the stud catcher; the stud loader being configured to feed the plurality of studs to the stud catcher; and wherein the stud catcher comprises a receiving component and a vertical component, the receiving component being positioned in proximity to the second exit end of the stud loader and being shaped to receive a stud from the plurality of studs such that the receiving component receives and aligns the received stud.