Patent ID: 7854615
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: B23K,H01R

Abstract:
1. A rotational connector for connecting a welding power cable to a welding torch, the rotational connector comprising: an enclosure having a longitudinal axis, an enclosure torch end, an enclosure cable end opposite the enclosure torch end along the longitudinal axis, and an enclosure interior frusto-conical surface disposed in the interior of the enclosure; an end cap operably connected to the enclosure substantially at the enclosure torch end, where the end cap has an end cap biasing surface; a torch stud having a torch stud torch end and a torch stud rotational connection end opposite the torch stud torch end along the longitudinal axis, where the torch stud torch end extends from the enclosure torch end and the torch stud rotational connection end is disposed within the enclosure, where the torch stud rotational connection end includes a torch stud flange having a torch stud contact surface and a torch stud biasing surface, where the torch stud has a torch stud interior surface defining a torch stud bore; a cable stud having a cable stud rotational connection end and a cable stud cable end opposite the cable stud rotational connection end along the longitudinal axis, where the cable stud cable end extends from the enclosure cable end and the cable stud rotational connection end is disposed within the enclosure, where the cable stud rotational connection end includes a cable stud flange having a cable stud contact surface and a cable stud frusto-conical surface with a shape corresponding to the enclosure interior frusto-conical surface, and where the cable stud rotational connection end has a cylindrical lip disposed along the longitudinal axis adjacent to the cable stud contact surface, and where at least a portion of the cylindrical lip is disposed within the torch stud bore; a bearing disposed around the cable stud between the cable stud and the enclosure; and a spring disposed between the end cap biasing surface and the torch stud biasing surface urging the torch stud contact surface into engagement with the cable stud contact surface and urging the cable stud frusto-conical surface into engagement with the enclosure interior frusto-conical surface.