Welding Hand Support Device

A welding hand support device of the present disclosure has a body that has a first base and a second base. The body has a first opening on one side and on an opposing side has a second opening. Further, the welding hand support device has a channel formed in the body traversing the body from the first opening to the second opening, the channel configured to receive a welding device.

BACKGROUND

Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature techniques such as brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal.

To weld the materials together, a welder uses a handheld device comprising an electrode. The electrode is heated, and an inert gas is emitted out from the handheld device surrounding the electrode. Some handheld devices employ a consumable wire that acts as both the electrode and the filler material.

The process of welding is time-consuming. In this regard, the welder may use the handheld device for a considerable length of time. Holding the handheld device for a considerable period is often difficult on the welder's hand, wrist, and/or forearm. Extended use of the handheld device often causes occupational injuries in both the welder's hand, wrist and/or forearm.

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is a welding hand support device that supports an operator's hand while the operator is welding. In this regard, a welding device comprises a handle, and the welding hand support device comprises an opening through which the welding device is inserted.

In particular, the welding hand support device comprises a substantially cylindrical body. There is a first opening on one side of the substantially cylindrical body and a second opening on the other side of the substantially cylindrical body opposing the first opening. Further, the first opening and the second opening enable access to an angular channel that extends from the first opening to the second opening. The welding device is inserted through the angular channel such that a top portion of the welding device protrudes out the first opening and the bottom portion of the welding device protrudes out the second opening.

The operator grasps the welding device and the welding hand support. When grasping the welding device, the operator's palm rests on the welding hand support device. The operator's middle finger, ring finger, and little finger wrap around the welding hand support device. The operator's index finger wraps around the welding device and grasps the welding device toward a tip of the welding device. The operator's thumb extends upwardly and grasps the side of the welding hand support device that the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger grasp. The fingers grasping the welding device and the welding hand support device enable the operator to rest the palm of the operator's hand and provide support during use, i.e., while the operator is welding, thereby creating a more ergonomic grasp for the welder.

FIG.1is a drawing of a welding device100. The welding device100comprises a tip11. Through the tip11extends an electrode13. Around the electrode13is an open channel14that emits inert gas.

The welding device100further comprises a handle12. The operator grasps the handle12when in use. The operator moves the tip11of the welding device100along an area between a base metal and a weld metal that are being fused together. The electrode13heats the base metal and the weld metal, melting the base metal and the weld metal, so that the materials may be fused together. Inert gas is emitted from the channel14to protect arcing that occurs during the welding of the base metal to the weld metal.

FIG.2is a drawing of the welding device100grasped by an operator's hand20. The welding device100is inserted through the welding hand support device24. The operator firmly grasps the welding hand support device24and the welding device100. The operator's middle finger, ring finger, and little finger22wrap around the welding hand support24, while the operator's index finger23wraps around the welding device100. The operator presses his/her thumb21against the welding device100and the welding hand support24to firmly grasp the welding device100. While the operator is welding a base metal to a weld metal, the operator rests his/her palm on the welding hand support device24. This enables the operator to rest his/her hand20during the welding process.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the welding hand support device24. The welding hand support device24comprises a cylindrical body31. While a cylindrical body31is shown, the welding hand support device24may be other shapes in other embodiments, e.g., a cuboid or rectangular prism.

The cylindrical body31terminates on one end with base32. On the opposing end, the cylindrical body31terminates with base33. WhileFIG.2depicts the bases32and33have a rounded shape. The bases32and33may be other shapes in other embodiments. For example, the bases32and33may be flat.

The welding hand support device24further comprises an opening30its lateral face. The opening30opens to an angular channel (not shown).

FIG.4is a right-side view of the welding hand support device24. The cylindrical body31comprises a lateral face41. The cylindrical body31comprises the lateral face41.

As noted above, the lateral face41may be the lateral face of a cylindrical body. However, other shapes may be used in other embodiments.

In the lateral face is an opening40. The opening40is formed in the lateral face41opposing the opening30. Note that in one embodiment, opening40is offset from the opening40to form an angular channel (not shown) through the body31.

The opening30and the opening40open to the angular channel. Thus, a welding device100may be inserted through the opening30, through the angular channel, and exit the welding hand support device24via the opening40.

FIG.5is a left side view of the welding hand support device24. The cylindrical body31comprises the lateral face41.

As noted above, the lateral face25may be the lateral face of a cylindrical body. However, other shapes may be used in other embodiments. For example, the body31may be a cuboidal shape, and the openings30and40are formed in opposing sides and offset one from the other to form the angular channel.

In the lateral face41is the opening40. The opening40is formed in the lateral face41opposing the opening30. Note that in one embodiment, opening30if formed offset from the opening40to form an angular channel (not shown) through the body31.

The opening30and the opening40open to the angular channel. Thus, a welding device100may be inserted through the opening30, through the angular channel, and exit the welding hand support device24via the opening40.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view of the left section of the welding hand support24. The welding hand support24comprises the body31, which is shown inFIG.6as cylindrical.

The welding hand support24comprises the opening30on one side of the welding hand support device24and the opening40on an opposing side of the welding hand support device24. The openings30and40open to a channel60.

The opening30receives the welding device100(FIG.1). The welding device100goes through the channel60and extends outwardly projecting from opening40, as shown inFIG.2.

The operator grasps the welding device100(FIG.2) and the welding hand support24. The operator welds and rests his/her hand on the welding hand support device24.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the ride section of the welding hand support24. The welding hand support24comprises the body31, which is shown inFIG.6as cylindrical.

The welding hand support24comprises the opening30on one side of the welding hand support device24and the opening40on an opposing side of the welding hand support device24. The openings30and40open to a channel60.

The opening30receives the welding device100(FIG.1). The welding device100goes through the channel60and extends outwardly projecting from opening40, as shown inFIG.2.

The operator grasps the welding device100(FIG.2) and the welding hand support24. The operator welds and rests his/her hand on the welding hand support device24.

FIG.8is an end view of the welding support device24. The welding support device24comprises the body31. The body31is cylindrical in the embodiment shown inFIG.8. However, the body31may be other shapes in other embodiments. For example, the body might be shaped as a rectangular prism.

Through the body31is the channel60. The welding device100is inserted through the channel60so that the tip11(FIG.1) of the welding device100protrudes outward from the lateral surface41of the body31.