Patent ID: 6641458
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
Apparatus for separating a cap from a shank of a tip of a welding electrode, said cap and said shank forming a peripheral hollow joint that is defined by a recessed end surface of the shank and a back surface of the cap, the apparatus comprising:a guide frame having a recessed portion sized for receiving the tip of the welding electrode, said recessed portion extending in a direction perpendicular to said tip and having two facing side walls and an end wall, the side walls having guiding ribs that are inserted in the peripheral hollow joint for guiding the tip of the welding electrode into the recessed portion until the tip of the welding electrode is abutted against the end wall in an engaged position; a cap withdrawing tool movably mounted on the guide frame, said cap withdrawing tool being movable along a crosswise direction that is perpendicular with respect to both the tip and the recessed portion when the tip of the welding electrode is in the engaged position, said tool having two facing wall sections each having a wedge that is inserted in the peripheral hollow joint when the tool is moved toward the tip of the electrode that is in the engaged position, said wedge being forced against the back surface of the cap for removing the cap from the shank when the tool is moved toward the tip of the electrode; and a driving mechanism coupled to the cap withdrawing tool for moving the cap withdrawing tool toward and away from the tip of the welding electrode along the crosswise direction between an open position where the tip of the electrode is inserted into and removed from the recessed portion of the guide frame and a closed position where the wedge removes the cap from the shank.