Patent ID: 6620373
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
An apparatus forming a guide for use with a cutting torch and a reference piece having an upstanding flange thereon, the reference piece being mountable upon a workpiece being cut by the cutting torch, the apparatus comprising:a guide piece having a top surface and a bottom surface in opposition to said top surface, said guide piece also having a leading end and a trailing end in opposition to said leading end; a receiving slot formed upon said bottom surface and extending between the leading and trailing ends for receiving portions of the upstanding flange therein in a relationship allowing the guide piece to move along the reference piece yet restrained against transverse lateral movement; a torch receiver formed through said guide piece between the top surface and bottom surface for receiving tip portions of the cutting torch therein, said torch receiver being spaced from said receiving slot; a stop surface formed about the torch receiver against which the cutting torch abuts when inserted into the torch receiver, said stop surface being angled relative to the top surface of the guide piece to angle the cutting torch into a tip angle which is acute toward said trailing end; said receiving slot being angled relative to the top surface to add additional acuteness to the tip angle of the cutting torch held in the torch receiver; at least one torch clamp for controllably clamping the cutting torch in the torch receiver.