Patent ID: 6629551
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A welding apparatus for welding a pair of abutted thermoplastic tubular end portions defining a juncture, each tubular end portion having a cylindrical surface and a circumferential flange extending radially outward from the cylindrical surface, the apparatus comprising a weld head having a body with two half body sections hinged together, and a heating portion for engaging the pair of tubular end portions at the juncture, the apparatus further comprising a pair of discrete circular circumferential clamps for encircling and clamping onto the abutted tubular end portions when the clamps and tubular end portions are not in the weld head, each half body section of the weld head having a pair of slots for receiving the clamps when said clamps are clamped onto the tubular end portions, at least one of the slots being defined by a spring loaded plate that is axially deflectable thereby allowing one of said circumferential clamps to be axially displaced during the weld process, the spring loaded plate providing a bias that increases substantially upon the occurrence of said axial displacement.