Pliers for cleaning a nozzle of a welding gun

Pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle include a right and left handle. The right handle is configured to operate a top left gripping end and a bottom right nozzle cleaner. The left handle is configured to operate a top right gripping end and a bottom left nozzle cleaner. The right handle are hingedly fixed together about a connection point. When the left handle and the right handle are closed, the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end are configured to squeeze together and the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner are configured to spread apart. And, when the left handle and the right handle are opened, the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end are configured to spread apart and the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner are configured to come together.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to pliers. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed toward pliers for cleaning a nozzle of a welding gun, like for cleaning, removing, installing and handling the nozzle of a gas metal arc welding gun (GMAW) or a metal insert gas (MIG) welding gun, or a metal active gas (MGA) welding gun, or generally a welding gun nozzle.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to by its subtypes metal inert gas (MIG) welding or metal active gas (MAG) welding, is a welding process in which an electric arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece metal or metals, which heats the workpiece metals, causing them to melt and join. Along with the wire electrode, a shielding gas feeds through the welding gun, which shields the process from contaminants in the air. Originally developed in the 1940s for welding aluminum and other non-ferrous materials, GMAW was soon applied to steels because it provided faster welding time compared to other welding processes. The cost of inert gas limited its use in steels until several years later, when the use of semi-inert gases such as carbon dioxide became common. Further developments during the 1950s and 1960s gave the process more versatility and as a result, it became a highly used industrial process. Today, GMAW is the most common industrial welding process, preferred for its versatility, speed and the relative ease of adapting the process to robotic automation.

The typical GMAW welding gun has a number of key parts: a control switch, a contact tip, a power cable, a gas nozzle, an electrode conduit and liner, and a gas hose. The control switch, or trigger, when pressed by the operator, initiates the wire feed, electric power, and the shielding gas flow, causing an electric arc to be struck. The contact tip is connected to the welding power source through the power cable and transmits the electrical energy to the electrode while directing it to the weld area. It must be firmly secured and properly sized, since it must allow the electrode to pass while maintaining electrical contact. On the way to the contact tip, the wire is protected and guided by the electrode conduit and liner, which help prevent buckling and maintain an uninterrupted wire feed. The gas nozzle directs the shielding gas evenly into the welding zone. Inconsistent flow may not adequately protect the weld area. Larger nozzles provide greater shielding gas flow, which is useful for high current welding operations that develop a larger molten weld pool.

There are several shapes and sizes of welding nozzles available, including straight, bottleneck and short or long taper nozzles. Straight nozzles typically have larger inside diameters, but don't offer as good of joint access. If greater joint access is critical, a bottleneck nozzle may be the better option. These nozzles are particularly good for automated welding applications. Short and long taper nozzles are also common choices for gaining good joint access. Note, that long taper nozzles typically have a smaller inside diameters and may collect spatter more readily. When possible, using a short taper nozzle can help prevent such a problem. When selecting a nozzle, it is important to find one that provides the best joint access for the application. It is also imperative that the nozzle allows for the proper gas flow to the weld puddle in order to keep contaminants away. As such, the best choice may be to use as large of a nozzle as possible that still allows access to the weld joint. Doing so helps ensure the greatest shielding gas flow. Larger nozzles are also less prone to collecting spatter compared to those with smaller inside diameters. However, the instant disclosure recognizes that even with properly sized and shaped welding nozzle, spatter still occurs and builds up in the welding nozzle and tip.

Welding gun nozzles play a critical role in the welding operation. Having a clean properly sized nozzle for the job can help reduce weld defects, rework and associated downtime, while also extending consumable life. In any welding application, the cleanliness of the nozzle, can have a significant impact on the quality, productivity and overall cost of the welding operation. Storing and handling nozzles properly can also help improve their overall performance. In addition, the amount of time and effort it takes to clean a nozzle effects the associated downtime of the welding operation. All of these factors impact the bottom line. Unfortunately, like other welding consumables, the importance of selecting the right nozzle and keeping the selected nozzle clean is often overlooked.

Currently, welders use various combinations of standard pliers, files and screw drivers for handling and cleaning welding nozzles. However, the instant disclosure recognizes the need for a tool that helps with cleaning the nozzle, including, handling and replacing the welding nozzles.

The instant disclosure is designed to address at least certain aspects of the problems or needs discussed above by providing pliers for cleaning a nozzle of a welding gun.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present disclosure embraces pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle. The pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle may generally include a right handle and a left handle. The right handle may be configured to operate a top left gripping end of a top pliers portion and a bottom right nozzle cleaner of a bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism. The left handle may be configured to operate a top right gripping end of the top pliers portion and a bottom left nozzle cleaner of the bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism. The right handle and the left handle may be hingedly fixed together about a connection point, wherein when the left handle and the right handle are closed together, the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end may be configured to squeeze together as the top pliers portion, and the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner may be configured to spread apart as the bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism. And, when the left handle and the right handle are opened from one another, the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end may be configured to spread apart as the top pliers portion, and the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner may be configured to come together as the bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism.

One feature of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle may be that they can be configured for cleaning the welding gun nozzle via the bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism with the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner. In select embodiments, when the left handle and the right handle are closed together, the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner are configured to spread apart, which can be used for, but is clearly not limited to, cleaning an inside wall of an outer casing of the welding gun nozzle. In other select embodiments, when the left handle and the right handle are opened from one another, the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner are configured to come together, which can be used for, but is clearly not limited to, cleaning an outside of a tip of the welding gun nozzle.

Another feature of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle may be that the bottom left nozzle cleaner may include a left pin oriented perpendicular from a bottom surface of the pliers, and the bottom right nozzle cleaner may include a right pin oriented perpendicular from the bottom surface of the pliers. In select embodiments, the left pin may include a first threaded portion for removably attaching the left pin to a first threaded hole in the bottom left nozzle cleaner, and the right pin may include a second threaded portion for removably attaching the right pin to a second threaded hole in the bottom right nozzle cleaner. In select embodiments, the first threaded portion of the left pin and the second threaded portion of the right pin may be left-handed threads configured to be inserted into the first threaded hole and the second threaded hole, respectively, via counter clockwise rotation to prevent backing out of the left pin and the right pin. In other select embodiments, the left pin may include a hexagonal-shaped bottom left portion configured for being gripped for inserting and removing the left pin, and the right pin may include a hexagonal-shaped bottom right portion configured for being gripped for inserting and removing the right pin.

Another feature of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle may be that the left pin may include a cylindrical top left portion with a length or size configured for cleaning the welding gun nozzle, and the right pin may include a cylindrical top right portion with the length or size configured for cleaning the welding gun nozzle.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle, the pliers may include a top tab plate. The top tab plate may be positioned over the left handle and the right handle at the connection point. The top tab plate may be configured to join together the left handle and the right handle. The top tab plate may include the top left gripping end. The right handle may include a notch cut out for receiving a protrusion from the top tab plate. Wherein, when the right handle is rotated about the connection point, the top tab plate may rotate the top left gripping end. In select embodiments, the left handle with the top right gripping end may be comprised of one solid piece. In other select embodiments, a steel pin may be positioned through the top tab plate, the right handle and the left handle at the connection point. Wherein, the steel pin may be configured to attach the left handle, the right handle and the top tab plate.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle, the top left gripping end may be a left needle nose pliers end. Likewise, the top right gripping end may be a right needle nose pliers end. Wherein, the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end may be operable as needle nose pliers via the left handle and the right handle.

Another feature of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle may be that the pliers can be configured as multi-function pliers for welders. These multi-functional pliers may be configured to have the convenience of needle nose pliers via the top left gripping end and the top right gripping end, and a wire snipper via the left handle and the right handle, while adding the ability to clean the welding gun nozzle without damaging it via the bottom right nozzle cleaner and the bottom left nozzle cleaner. In addition, the pliers may include a nozzle remover configured for removing the welding gun nozzle and the tip from a welding gun.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning the welding gun nozzle, a wire snipper may be between the left handle and the right handle. Wherein, the left handle and the right handle may include corresponding indentions configured for cutting wire between the left handle and the right handle.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning the welding gun nozzle, a nozzle remover may be included as an opening portion configured for gripping the welding gun nozzle between the left handle and the right handle. Wherein, the left handle and the right handle may include corresponding concave sections configured for nozzle removal and installation

In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle that can include a pair of bottom nozzle cleaners extending perpendicular from the pliers. The pair of bottom nozzle cleaners may be configured to spread apart when the pliers are closed. The pair of bottom nozzle cleaners may also be configured to come together when the pliers are opened. Wherein, the pair of bottom nozzle cleaners may be operable as a nozzle cleaner mechanism configured for cleaning the welding gun nozzle.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle, a pair of top gripping ends may be on the top of the pair of bottom nozzle cleaners. The pair of top gripping ends may be configured to squeeze together when the pliers are closed. The pair of top gripping ends may be configured to spread apart when the pliers are opened. Wherein, the pair of top gripping ends are operable as a pliers portion.

In select embodiments of the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle, the pair of top gripping ends may be a pair of needle nose pliers ends. Wherein, the pair of top gripping ends may be operable as needle nose pliers.

In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces a method of cleaning a welding gun nozzle. The disclosed method of cleaning a welding gun nozzle may include using the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle in any of the various embodiments shown and/or described herein. As such, the disclosed method of cleaning a welding gun nozzle may generally include the steps of: providing the disclosed pliers for cleaning a welding gun nozzle in any of the various embodiments shown and/or described herein; and cleaning the welding gun nozzle with the pair of bottom nozzle cleaners of the provided pliers.

In select embodiments of the disclosed method of cleaning a welding gun nozzle, the step of cleaning the welding gun nozzle with said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners of the provided pliers may include: cleaning an inside wall of an outer casing of the welding gun nozzle via closing the pliers where said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners spread apart against the outer casing of the welding gun nozzle; cleaning an outside of a tip of the welding gun nozzle via opening the pliers where said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners come together against the outside of the tip of the welding gun nozzle; or a combination thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-10, in describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-9, in a possibly preferred embodiment, the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such an apparatus or method by providing of pliers10for cleaning of welding gun nozzle12. Welding gun nozzle12cleaned and handled by pliers10may be any size, shape or type of nozzle for a welding gun, including, but not limited to, straight, bottleneck and short or long taper nozzles for gas metal arc welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to by its subtypes metal inert gas (MIG) welding or metal active gas (MAG) welding. As such, pliers10may be designed for cleaning various sizes and shapes of welding nozzles.

Pliers10may generally include right handle14and left handle24. Right handle14may be configured to operate top left gripping end16of top pliers portion18. In addition, while operating top left gripping end16, right handle14may also be configured to simultaneously operate bottom right nozzle cleaner20of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22. For its counterpart, left handle24may be configured to operate top right gripping end26of top pliers portion18. In addition, while operating top right gripping end26, left handle24may also be configured to simultaneously operate bottom left nozzle cleaner28of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22. Right handle14and left handle24may be hingedly fixed together about connection point30. As a result, when left handle24and right handle14are closed together (seeFIGS. 6B, 6D, 7 and 8), top left gripping end16and top right gripping end26may be configured to squeeze together as top pliers portion18. In addition, bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28may be configured to simultaneously spread apart as bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22. And in the converse operation, when left handle24and right handle14are opened from one another (seeFIGS. 6A, 6C, and 9), top left gripping end16and top right gripping end26may be configured to spread apart as top pliers portion18. In addition, bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28may be configured to come together as bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22.

Referring specifically toFIGS. 7-9, one feature of pliers10may be that they can be configured for cleaning welding gun nozzle12. Pliers10may be configured to clean welding gun nozzle12via bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22with bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28. In select embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, when left handle24and right handle14are closed together, bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28may be configured to spread apart, which can be used for, but is clearly not limited to, cleaning inside wall32of outer casing34of welding gun nozzle12. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, when handles14and24are closed together and the pair of nozzle cleaners20and28are forced to spread apart, this force can be used to clean inside wall32of outer casing34of welding gun nozzle12by applying this spreading force and rotating pliers10back and forth for removing any build up or splatter on inside wall32of outer casing34. This process can provide a quick and easy means for cleaning inside wall32of outer casing34with pliers10, which can be done with nozzle12positioned between vice grips (as shown in the figures), with nozzle12on or off of the associated welding gun. In other select embodiments, as shown inFIG. 9, when left handle24and right handle14are opened from one another, bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28are configured to come together, which can be used for, but is clearly not limited to, cleaning outside36of tip38of welding gun nozzle12. As shown inFIG. 9, when handles14and24are opened and the pair of nozzle cleaners20and28are forced to come together, this force can be used to clean outside36of tip38of welding gun nozzle12by applying this compression force and rotating pliers10back and forth for removing any build up or splatter on outside36of tip38. This process may provide a quick and easy means for cleaning outside36of tip38with pliers10, which can be done with nozzle12positioned between vice grips (as shown in the figures), with nozzle12on or off of the associated welding gun.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5, another feature of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12may be that bottom left nozzle cleaner28may include left pin40and bottom right nozzle cleaner20may include right pin44. Left pin40and right pin44may be oriented perpendicular from bottom surface42of pliers10. Left pin40and right pin44may be attached or oriented perpendicular on bottom surface42of pliers10by any means, including being removably attached or permanently fixed perpendicular on bottom surface42of pliers10. As shown in the FIGS, in select embodiments, left pin40may include first threaded portion46for removably attaching left pin40to first threaded hole48in bottom left nozzle cleaner28. Likewise, in select embodiments, right pin44may include second threaded portion50for removably attaching right pin44to second threaded hole52in bottom right nozzle cleaner20. These removable embodiments of left pin40and right pin44of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22may allow for changing out of left pin40and/or right pin44for providing removing and replacing of the pins or for providing rotation between various size and shapes of left pin40and right pin44of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22. In select embodiments, first threaded portion46of left pin40and second threaded portion50of right pin44may be left-handed threads54. Left-handed threads54of the pins may be configured to be inserted into first threaded hole48and second threaded hole52, respectively, via counter clockwise rotation. As such, left-handed threads53may be configured to prevent backing out of left pin40and right pin44during operation of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22. In other select embodiments, left pin40may include hexagonal-shaped bottom left portion56configured for being gripped (like by a wrench) for inserting and removing left pin40. Likewise, in select embodiments, right pin44may include hexagonal-shaped bottom right portion58configured for being gripped (like by a wrench) for inserting and removing right pin44.

Another feature of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12may be that left pin40may include cylindrical top left portion60with length61or size configured for cleaning welding gun nozzle12. Likewise, right pin44may include cylindrical top right portion62with a corresponding length61or size configured for cleaning welding gun nozzle12. Length61or the size of left pin40and right pin44may be set based on the selected nozzle12and may vary for various nozzles12. As such, by providing removable pins40and44of bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22, various lengths61or sizes of the pins40and44may be used on pliers10as desired.

Referring now specifically toFIGS. 1-6, in select embodiments of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, pliers10may include top tab plate64(shown specifically inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D). Top tab plate64may be for connecting together right handle14and left handle24and for allowing the simultaneous operation of top pliers portion18and bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22via left handle24and right handle14. As should be clear to one skilled in the art, top tab plate64may be on either the top or the bottom of right handle14and/or left handle24. In addition, left handle24may switch sides with right handle14. As shown best in the operation portion of pliers10shown inFIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, top tab plate64may be positioned over left handle24and right handle14at connection point30. Top tab plate64may be configured to join together left handle24and right handle14. Top tab plate64may include top left gripping end16. To operate top left gripping end16, right handle14may include notch66cut out for receiving protrusion68from top tab plate64. Wherein, when right handle14is rotated about connection point30, top tab plate64may rotate top left gripping end16. As such, in select embodiments, left handle24with top right gripping end26may be comprised of one solid piece70. In other select embodiments, steel pin72may be positioned through top tab plate64, right handle14and left handle24at connection point30. Wherein, steel pin72may be configured to attach left handle24, right handle14and top tab plate64about connection point30for operation of pliers10.

Pliers10may be configures as any style, size or shape of pliers desired by the welder or user, including but not limited to, any style, size or shape of top pliers portion18. In select embodiments of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, as shown in the Figures, top left gripping end16may be left needle nose pliers end74. Likewise, top right gripping end26may be right needle nose pliers end76. Wherein, top left gripping end16and top right gripping end26may be operable as needle nose pliers78via left handle24and right handle14.

As shown throughout the Figures, pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12may be configured as multi-function pliers80for welders. These multi-functional pliers80may be configured to have the convenience of needle nose pliers78(or other pliers) via top left gripping end16and top right gripping end26, and wire snipper82via left handle24and right handle14, while adding the ability to clean welding gun nozzle12without damaging it via bottom right nozzle cleaner20and bottom left nozzle cleaner28. In addition, pliers10may include nozzle remover84configured for removing welding gun nozzle12and tip38from the associated welding gun. As such, in select embodiments of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, wire snipper82may be between left handle24and right handle14. Wherein, left handle24and right handle14may include corresponding indentions86configured for cutting wire between left handle24and right handle14. In select other embodiments of pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, nozzle remover84may be included as opening portion88configured for gripping welding gun nozzle12between left handle24and right handle14. Wherein, left handle24and right handle14may include corresponding concave sections90configured for removal and installation of welding gun nozzle12

Sill referring toFIGS. 1-9, in another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12that can include pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) extending perpendicular from pliers10. Pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) may be configured to spread apart when pliers10are closed. Pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) may also be configured to come together when pliers10are opened. Wherein, pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) may be operable as nozzle cleaner mechanism22configured for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, like as shown inFIGS. 7-9and described above.

In select embodiments of these pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, a pair of top gripping ends (16and26) may be on the top of the pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28). Pair of top gripping ends (16and26) may be configured to squeeze together when pliers10are closed. Pair of top gripping ends (16and26) may be configured to spread apart when pliers10are opened. Wherein, pair of top gripping ends (16and26) are operable as pliers portion18.

In select embodiments of these pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12, the pair of top gripping ends (16and26) may be a pair of needle nose pliers ends (74and76). Wherein, the pair of top gripping ends (16and26) may be operable as needle nose pliers78.

Referring now toFIG. 10, in another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces method100of cleaning welding gun nozzle12. Method100of cleaning welding gun nozzle12may include using the disclosed pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12in any of the various embodiments shown and/or described herein. As such, method100of cleaning welding gun nozzle12may generally include the steps of: step102of providing pliers10for cleaning welding gun nozzle12in any of the various embodiments shown and/or described herein; and step104of cleaning welding gun nozzle12with pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) of the provided pliers10. In select embodiments of method100of cleaning welding gun nozzle12, step104of cleaning welding gun nozzle12with said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) of the provided pliers10may include: step106of cleaning inside wall32of outer casing34of welding gun nozzle12via closing pliers10where said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) spread apart against outer casing34of welding gun nozzle12; and/or step108of cleaning outside36of tip38of welding gun nozzle12via opening pliers1—where said pair of bottom nozzle cleaners (20and28) come together against outside36of tip38of welding gun nozzle12.

In sum, pliers10may be multi-function pliers80for welders. Pliers10may allow the welders to have the convenience of your typical needle nose pliers and wire snippers while adding the ability to clean their nozzle without damaging and removing the nozzle and tip from their welding gun. Pliers10may generally be comprised of three pieces. Top tab plate64, right handle14, and left handle24. Right handle14may have notch66cut out for protrusion68of top tab plate64which is used to connect left handle24and right handle14.

A feature of the present disclosure of pliers10may be its ability to clean nozzle12without damaging/scraping tip38or having to remove nozzle12from the associated welding gun to avoid such damages.

Another feature of the present disclosure of pliers10may be its left-handed threads54, screw-in nozzle cleaner attachments or pins40and44. These attachment pins40and44may screw into bottom surface42of left handle24and right handle14of pliers10and can be adjusted to fit the size of the nozzle12being used. The attachments pins40and44also can be replaced themselves as to having to replace the entire set of pliers10.

Another advantage to the present disclosure of pliers10may be the way that the bottom nozzle cleaner mechanism22opens opposite the actual top pliers portion18insuring a strong grip while cleaning nozzle12.

Another feature of the present disclosure of pliers10may be its ability to remove the entire nozzle12as well as replace the nozzle12on the welding gun with nozzle remover84.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein but is limited only by the following claims.