Abstract:
An external positioning structure for a remote user interface is provided. The external positioning structure includes a roll cage assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the remote user interface and at least partially surround lateral sides of the remote user interface. The roll cage assembly further includes a plurality of fastening points allowing for securement of the roll cage assembly to the remote user interface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Non-Provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/363,061 entitled “Rollcage Hanging Device”, filed Jul. 9, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to welding systems, and, more particularly, to a protection and positioning device for a remote user interface of a welding system. 
         [0003]    Welding systems generally include power supplies configured to provide an electric current for use in a welding operation. The power supplies include a user interface allowing an operator to adjust one or more operating parameters of the power supply. For example, the user interface may enable are the operator to select or adjust voltage output, current output, welding wire size, welding process, and so forth. For certain welding applications, the power supplies, which may weigh over 80 pounds, are too large or cumbersome to position proximate to the welding operation. For example, the location of a weld may be elevated, confined, restricted, or otherwise difficult to access. In such circumstances, a remote user interface may be connected to the power supply, enabling an operator to adjust power supply operating parameters without being proximate to the power supply. For example, the remote user interface may include a remote pendant that is coupled to the power supply by a long cable. Unfortunately, remote user interfaces are frequently used in harsh environments where they may be subjected to dropping, dragging, falling debris, and other general abuse. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    In an exemplary embodiment, an external positioning structure for a remote user interface includes a roll cage assembly configured to receive at least a portion of a remote user interface and at least partially surround lateral sides of the remote user interface and a plurality of fastening points on the roll cage assembly, the fastening points allowing for securement of the roll cage assembly about the remote user interface. 
         [0005]    In another exemplary embodiment, an external positioning structure for a remote user interface includes a roll cage assembly having a first roll cage member couple to a second roll cage member by a cross brace, the roll cage assembly configured to receive at least a portion of a remote user interface at and least partially surround lateral sides of the remote user interface. The external position structure also includes a plurality of fastening points on the roll cage assembly, the fastening points allowing for adjustment and securement of the roll cage assembly about the remote user interface. 
         [0006]    In a further embodiment, an external positioning structure for a remote user interface includes a first roll cage member, a second roll cage member identical to the first roll cage member, and a cross brace coupled to the first roll cage member and the second roll cage member, the first and second roll cage members and the cross brace configured to receive at least a portion of a remote user interface and at least partially surround lateral sides of the remote user interface. The external positioning structure also includes a plurality of fastening points on the first and second roll cage members, the fastening points allowing for adjustment and securement of the first and second roll cage members and the cross brace about the remote user interface. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatical representation of an exemplary welding system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of two exemplary external positioning structures disposed about a remote user interface for a welding power supply; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary external position structure for use with a remote user interface of a welding power supply; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary external position structure for use with a remote user interface of a welding power supply; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two exemplary external positioning structures disposed about a remote user interface for a welding power supply, illustrating an exemplary positioning configuration of the external positioning structures; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of two exemplary external positioning structures disposed about a remote user interface for a welding power supply, illustrating an exemplary positioning configuration of the external positioning structures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of an external positioning structure for use with a remote user interface of a welding power supply. The external positioning structure is configured allow the remote user interface to be positioned in several different orientations, such as various forms of hanging and resting on flat surfaces. Additionally, the external positioning structure is configured to protect the remote user interface from general abuse, such as dropping, dragging, falling debris, and the like. In certain embodiments, the external positioning structure includes two claw members coupled by a cross brace member. The claw members are configured to protect the remote user interface from harmful contact with a surface (e.g., when the remote user interface is dropped or dragged). The claw members also enable versatile positioning of the remote user interface, such as hanging the remote user interface from a bar or rail. Furthermore, the external positioning structure is coupled to the remote user interface with fasteners. The fasteners may be configured to allow rotation and fixation of the external positioning structure about the remote user interface in various positions, thereby providing versatile positioning capability of the remote user interface. As discussed below, in certain applications, more than one external positioning structure may be coupled to the remote user interface. 
         [0015]    Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary welding system  10  which powers, controls, and provides supplies to a welding operation. The welding system  10  includes a welding power supply  12 , a wire feeder  14 , and a welding torch  16 . The power supply  12  may be a power converter style welding power supply or an inverter welding power supply requiring a power source  18 . In other embodiments, the welding power supply  12  may include a generator or alternator driven by an internal combustion engine. The welding power supply  12  may also include a user interface  20  for inputting or adjusting various operating parameters of the welding power supply  12 , such as voltage and current. In some embodiments, the user interface  20  may further be configured to input or adjust various operating parameters of the welding wire feeder  14 , such as welding wire diameter, wire feed speed, and so forth. 
         [0016]    Additionally, a remote user interface  22  is coupled to the welding power supply  12 . The remote user interface  22  may be used in applications where the welding power supply  12  is too large or cumbersome to position proximate to the welding application. For example, the remote user interface  22  may be used in welding environments such as power plants where the location of a weld is elevated or difficult to access. An extension cord  24 , which may be a 115 volt cable, intelligent serial cable, or other extension cord, connects the remote user interface  22  to the welding power supply  12 . As shown, the remote user interface  22  is positioned proximate to the welding torch  16  (i.e., the welding application), at a distance  26  from the welding power supply  12 . In certain applications, the distance  26  may be approximately 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, or more. As with the user interface  20 , the remote user interface  22  is configured to input or adjust various operating parameters of the welding power supply  12 , such as voltage and current, and the welding wire feeder  14 , such as welding wire diameter and wire feed speed. As discussed in detail below, the remote user interface  22  may include an external positioning structure configured to protect the remote user interface  22  and allow the remote user interface  22  to be positioned in several different orientations. 
         [0017]    A gas source  28  may also be coupled to the welding power supply  12 . The gas source  28  is the source of the gas that is supplied to the welding torch  16 . As shown, the welding power supply  12  is coupled to the welding wire feeder  14 . As will be appreciated, the welding power supply  12  may be coupled to the welding wire feeder  14  by a feeder power lead, a weld cable, a gas hose, and a control cable. The welding wire feeder  14  in the illustrated embodiment provides welding wire to the welding torch  16  for use in the welding operation. Specifically, the welding wire feeder  14  feeds welding wire from a spool to the welding torch  16 . A variety of welding wires may be used. For example, the welding wire may be solid (e.g., carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel), composite, flux cored, and so forth. Furthermore, the thickness of the welding wire may vary depending on the welding application for which the welding wire is used. For example, the welding wire may be 22 gauge, 20 gauge, 18 gauge, 16 gauge, or other size. The welding wire feeder  14  may enclose a variety of internal components such as a wire feed drive system, an electric motor assembly, an electric motor, and so forth. 
         [0018]    As shown, the welding wire supplied by the welding wire feeder  14  is fed to the welding torch  16  through a first cable  30 . The first cable  30  may also supply gas to the welding torch  16 . As further shown, a second cable  32  couples the welding power supply  12  to a work piece  34  (typically via a clamp) to complete the circuit between the welding power supply  12  and the welding torch  16  during a welding operation. 
         [0019]    It should be noted that modifications to the exemplary welding system  10  of  FIG. 1  may be made in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, the welding wire feeder  14  may further include a user interface to enable a user to input and adjust various wire feed settings or operating parameters of the welding wire feeder  14 , such as wire feed speed, welding wire diameter, and so forth. Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiments are described in the context of a metal inert gas (MIG) welding process, the features of the invention may be utilized with a variety of welding processes. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the remote user interface  22  with two external positioning structures  36  coupled to the remote user interface  22 . In other embodiments, the remote user interface  22  may include a single external positioning structure  36 . The structures  36  are configured to protect the remote user interface  22  in the event that the remote user interface  22  is dropped or dragged across a surface. More specifically, the structures  36  extend outward from the remote user interface  22  in multiple directions, such that the structures  36 , rather than the remote user interface  22 , will contact a surface on which the remote user interface  22  is dropped or dragged. The structures  36  are further configured to allow the remote user interface  22  to be positioned in several different orientations. 
         [0021]    Each external positioning structure  36  includes claw members  38  and a cross brace  40  coupled to the claw members  38 . Specifically, the claw members  38  and the cross brace  40  form a box-like configuration that is disposed about the remote user interface  22 . When the structure  36  is disposed about the remote user interface  22 , the claw members  38  and cross brace  40  each abut a different surface of the remote user interface  22 . Each claw member  38  further includes hook portions  42  that extend outward from the remote user interface  22 . If the remote user interface  22  is dropped or dragged, the hook portions  42  of the claw members  38 , rather than the remote user interface  22 , may contact the surface on which the remote user interface  22  is dropped or dragged, thereby preventing possible damage to the remote user interface  22 . 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the hook portions  42  of the claw members  38  may be used to hang the remote user interface  22  on a bar or rail proximate to the welding application. As discussed below, each external positioning structure  36  may be rotated about the remote user interface  22  and securely positioned such that one or more hook portions  42  may grab or be affixed to a bar or rail. Similarly, each structure  36  may be positioned to provide a variety of different orientations (e.g., viewing angles) of the remote user interface  22  on a flat surface. As indicated by reference numeral  44 , the claw members  38  of the structures  36  extend beyond the surface of the remote user interface  22 . Consequently, when the remote user interface  22  is positioned on a flat surface, the claw members  38  and the cross brace  40  of the structure  36  may contact the flat surface with the remote user interface  22  is suspended slightly above the flat surface. In this manner, the remote user interface  22  may be tilted (i.e., rotated about the structure  36  resting on the flat surface) to provide a desired orientation or viewing angle. 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment, each external positioning structure  36  is secured to the remote user interface  22  with bolts  46 , a nut  48 , and a threaded knob  50 . In certain embodiments, the bolts  46  are built into the remote user interface  22 . The threaded knob  50 , which is engaged with one of the bolts  46 , allows the structure  36  to be rotated and fixated about the remote user interface  22  in a variety of orientations. Specifically, the threaded knob  50  may be loosened, the structure  36  may be rotated about the remote user interface  22  to a desired position, and the threaded knob  50  may be tightened to secure structure  36  to the remote user interface  22  in the desired position. As discussed above, the positioning flexibility of the structure  36  about the remote user interface  22  enables the remote user interface  22  to be rested on a surface or hung on a rail in different positions (e.g., viewing angles). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the external positioning structure  36 , illustrating an angled configuration of the hook portions  42  of the claw members  38 . As discussed above, the structure  36  includes two claw members  38  coupled by a cross brace  40 . As shown, both claw members  38  of the structure  36  are identical. As a result, a single configuration of the claw member  38  may be manufactured, and the claw member  38  can be used for either side of the structure  36 . In other embodiments, each claw member  38  of the structure  36  may have a unique configuration. 
         [0025]    Each claw member  38  includes a base portion  52  from which the hook portions  42  extend. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook portions  42  of each claw member  38  extend from opposite ends of the base portion  52 . As will be appreciated, the claw members  38  may have a single piece construction from a material such as steel or plastic. For example, the claw members  38  may be formed from a machining process such as punching or laser cutting. As mentioned above, the hook portions  42  have an angled configuration. More specifically, each hook portion  42  includes an elbow  54  and a tip  56 . The elbow  54  of each hook portion  42  is oriented at an angle  58  relative to the base portion  52  and the tip  56 . In certain embodiments, the angle  58  may measure approximately 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, or more. In this manner, the structure  36  may provide protection for the remote user interface  22  from multiple directions. The angled orientation of the elbow  54  may be created using a press break or other machining tool. Furthermore, while the elbows  54  for all hook portions  42  of the structure  36  are angled in the illustrated embodiment, other embodiments may include elbows  54  which are angled and elbows  54  which are not angled. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the external positioning structure  36 , illustrating the coupling of the cross brace  40  to the claw members  38 . Each end of the cross brace  40 , which may be formed from a metal, such as steel, or a plastic, is disposed in a notch  60  formed in the base portion  52  of the each claw member  38 . The cross brace  40  may be secured to the notches  60  of base portions  52  by a welding, brazing, or other fusing process. As shown, notches  60  are formed at both ends of the base portion  52  of each claw member  38 , allowing for alternate configurations of the structure  36 . For example, in embodiments of the remote user interface  22  having two structures  36 , the structures  36  may have different configurations. In other words, one structure  36  may have the cross brace  40  coupled to the base portions  52  at one end, and another structure  36  may have the cross brace  40  coupled to the base portions  52  at another end. In other embodiments, the base portion  52  of each claw member  38  may include a single notch  60  or more than two notches  60  to allow for additional configurations of the structure  36 . 
         [0027]    The base portions  52  of the claw members  38  also include holes  62 . As will be appreciated, the holes  62  in the base portions are configured to receive the bolts  46  of the remote user interface  22 . That is, the structure  36  is mounted to the remote user interface  22  by inserting the bolts  46  through the holes  62  and securing the structure  36  to the remote user interface  22  by tightening the nut  48  or threaded knob  50  on each bolt  46 . As similarly described above, holes  62  are formed on both ends of the base portion  52  of each claw member  38 , allowing alternative mounting configurations of the structure  36  to the remote user interface  22 . For example, in embodiments of the remote user interface  22  having two structures  36 , the structures  36  may be mounted to the remote user interface  22  using holes  62  at different respective locations on the base portion  52  of each claw member  38 . Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment shows two holes  62  formed in each base portion  52 , other embodiments of the structure  36  may have a single hole  62  or more than two holes  62  formed in the base portion  52  of each claw member  38 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the remote user interface  22 , each having two external positioning structures  36 , illustrating various positioning configurations of the external positioning structures  36  about the remote user interface  22 . As discussed above, the position or orientation of the structures  36  about the remote user interface  22  may be adjusted by loosening the threaded knob  50  of the structure  36  to be adjusted, adjusting the structure  36  to a desired position, and subsequently tightening the threaded knob  50 . For example,  FIG. 5  shows the remote user interface  22  having a top external positioning structure  64  oriented such that hook portions  42  of the top external positioning structure  64  may receive a bar or rail proximate to the welding application. In this manner, the remote user interface  22  may hang on the bar or rail while on operator completes a welding operation. For example, the bar or rail may be a handrail or a rung of a ladder. Additionally, should an operator wish to adjust or input an operating parameter of the welding power supply  12  or the welding wire feeder  14 , the operator may do so using the remote user interface  22 , without needing to move or reposition the remote user interface  22 . In other words, the remote user interface  22  may hang on the bar or rail and remain stationary while the operator completes the welding operation. Furthermore, as the hook portions  42  of the top structure  64  are engaged with the bar or rail (i.e., the hook portions  42  are substantially wrapped around the bar or rail), the risk of dislodging or knocking the remote user interface  22  off the bar or rail is reduced. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative orientation of the top external positioning structure  64  coupled to the remote user interface  22 . The orientation of the top structure  64  in the illustrated embodiment may be configured to receive a bar or rail, such that the remote user interface  22  may be positioned proximate to a welding application. Alternatively, the remote user interface  22  may be rotated in a direction  66  and rested on a flat surface. Specifically, in the resting position, the remote user interface  22  is supported by the elbows  54  of the structures  36 . In this manner, an alternative viewing angle of the remote user interface  22  may be provided. 
         [0030]    While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.