Patent ID: 8708214
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A pressure-applying device coupled with a welding apparatus having a rotatable welding tool, the pressure-applying device comprising: an annular collar; a housing component circumferentially disposed about the rotatable welding tool and both coupled with the annular collar and selectively rotatable relative to the annular collar; a pressure foot being at least partially located in the housing component and having a discontinuous contact surface for contacting a work piece and a central opening for accommodating the rotatable welding tool, the discontinuous contact surface having at least a first and second contact surface that are respectively disposed on substantially opposing sides of the central opening; and a motor coupled directly to the housing component via a gear, the motor being configured to rotate the housing component about an axis of the rotatable welding tool and with respect to the annular collar, wherein the rotation of the housing component is separate from the rotation of the rotatable welding tool.