Abstract:
A cutting device accessory that allows a user to easily maintain the proper distance or gap between the cutting device and the surface being cut, while the cutting device is being transported across said surface in any direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of patent application Ser. No. 14/867,058 filed on Sep. 28, 2015, which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/179,614 filed on May 14, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an accessory for use with a cutting device, such as a torch. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Metal inert gas welding, or MIG welding, is well known in the art and is a welding process in which an electric arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the work piece metal(s), which heats the work piece metal(s), 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. 
         [0004]    Heretofore, a welder performing a MIG welding operation had to maintain by hand the proper shield gas plume and electric arc gap while also attempting to move the welding device fluidly and continuously across a work piece to achieve a proper and acceptable welding bead, which could take years of experience to achieve on a consistent basis. Stated differently, heretofore, it has been difficult for novice and even semi-experienced welders to achieve an acceptable bead and weld on a consistent basis, which can be both frustrating and time consuming for a welder or welding technician attempting to learn the craft and lead to inconsistent results. 
         [0005]    Oxy-fuel cutting is also a process that is well known in the art and involves using a torch, fuel gases and oxygen to cut metals. More specifically, in oxy-fuel cutting, a torch is used to heat metal to its kindling temperature. A stream of oxygen is then trained on the metal, burning it into a metal oxide that flows out of the kerf as slag. Similar to MIG welding, heretofore, it has been difficult for a novice welder or welding technician to make precision cuts using an oxy-fuel torch due to the need to continuously and fluidly move the cutting torch along the piece of metal being cut. 
         [0006]    Similarly, plasma cutting is a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. The basic plasma cutting process involves creating an electrical channel of ionized gas i.e. plasma from the plasma cutter itself, through the work piece to be cut, thus forming a completed electric circuit back to the plasma cutter via a grounding clamp. This is accomplished by a compressed gas (oxygen, air, inert and others depending on material being cut) which is blown through a focused nozzle at high speed toward the work piece. An electrical arc is then formed within the gas, between an electrode near or integrated into the gas nozzle and the work piece itself The electrical arc ionizes some of the gas, thereby creating an electrically conductive channel of plasma. As electricity from the cutter torch travels down this plasma it delivers sufficient heat to melt through the work piece. At the same time, much of the high velocity plasma and compressed gas blow the hot molten metal away, thereby separating i.e. cutting through the work piece. Plasma cutting is an effective means of cutting thin and thick materials alike. Hand-held torches can usually cut up to 38 mm thick steel plate, and stronger computer-controlled torches can cut steel up to 150 mm thick. Since plasma cutters produce a very hot and very localized “cone” to cut with, they are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes. Similar to oxy-fuel cutting, heretofore, it has been difficult for a novice welder or welding technician to make precision cuts using a plasma cutter due to the need to continuously and fluidly move the cutter along the surface being cut. 
         [0007]    Consequently, there is a long felt need in the art for a welding or cutting device accessory that allows the user to easily maintain the proper electrical arc gap between the torch/cutting device and the surface being cut, and that improves consistency of the shield gas plume by reducing the variation of gap between the shield gas nozzle and the metal surface while in motion. There is also a long felt need in the art for a cutting device accessory that provides the user with a means for more concisely and fluidly moving the cutting device along a desired path. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a cutting device accessory that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives in a cutting operation, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0009]    The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, is an accessory for a cutting device that: (i) enables a user to easily maintain the proper electrical arc gap between the cutting device and a work surface while the cutting device is in motion; and (ii) provides the user with a means for more concisely and fluidly moving the cutting device along a desired cutting path. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutting device accessory comprises a body portion, an arm having a first end and a second end, and a rotatable ball positioned at the second end of said arm, as described more fully below. The cutting device accessory of the present invention accomplish all of the forgoing objectives, as well as others, in a MIG welding or oxy-fuel or plasma cutting operation, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use. 
         [0011]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the accessory device of the present invention securely attached to an end of a cutting device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the accessory device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the accessory device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the accessory device of the present invention securely attached to an end of a cutting device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the accessory device of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the accessory device of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0019]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cutting accessory device  100  of the present invention securely attached to cutting device  10 . More specifically, cutting device  10  is comprised of a head portion  12 , a handle portion  14 , and a tip  16  located at the end of head portion  12  opposite handle portion  14 . When device  10  is in use, a flame or torch (not shown) extends from said tip  16  of device  10  and can be applied to a work piece. 
         [0020]    Device  100  is removably and repositionably attached to head portion  12 , and is preferably comprised of a body portion  110 , a fastener  120 , and a rotatable ball assembly  150 . Unless otherwise stated herein, device  100  is preferably comprised of durable materials, such as steel, aluminum, heat resistant plastic or other material capable of being exposed to elevated temperatures due to the proximity of device  100  to cutting device  10 . 
         [0021]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , body portion  110  is preferably comprised of an inboard surface  111 , an outboard surface  112 , a plurality of sides  113 , a first continuous opening  114 , a second opening  115  in outboard surface  112 , a slot  116 , and a fastener opening  117 . Inboard surface  111  refers to the surface of body portion  110  facing towards the handle portion  14  of cutting device  10  when device  100  is properly installed on head portion  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Outboard surface  112  refers to the surface of body portion  110  opposite of inboard surface  111  and facing in the opposite direction of handle portion  14  of cutting device  10  when device  100  is properly installed on head portion  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    First continuous opening  114  extends between inboard surface  111  and outboard surface  112  and is shaped and sized accordingly to receive head portion  12  of cutting device  10 . Similarly, second opening  115  may also extend between inboard surface  111  and outboard surface  112 , or may extend only a portion of the way from outboard surface  112  in the direction of inboard surface  111 . Second opening  115  is shaped and sized accordingly to receive a portion of rotatable ball assembly  150 , as described more fully below, and is preferably threaded. As referenced above, body portion  110  is also preferably comprised of slot  116  that extends between said inboard surface  111  and said outboard surface  112 , as well as between first continuous opening  114  and one of said plurality of sides  113 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As more fully explained below, the width of slot  116  is adjustable by tightening/loosening fastener  120 , and slot  116  is useful for installing/removing device  100  from head portion  12  of cutting device  10 . 
         [0023]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , fastener opening  117  preferably extends through body portion  110  from one side  113 , across slot  116 , to a second opposing side  113  and is sized and shaped accordingly to receive fastener  120 , as more fully explained below. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fastener opening  117  is not threaded, though it is contemplated that fastener opening  117  could also be threaded without affecting the overall scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    Fastener  120  may be any fastener commonly known in the art and is preferably comprised of a threaded screw  122 , a washer  123  and a nut  124 , such as a wing nut for easy handling. Notwithstanding, as mentioned above, if fastener opening  117  is threaded, washer  123  and nut  124  may be eliminated and fastener  120  may simply be screwed into fastener opening  117 . As explained more fully below, fastener  120  is useful for slightly increasing or decreasing the size of first continuous opening  114  and slot  116  to install/remove device  100  from head portion  12  of cutting or welding device  10 , and for removably securing device  100  to head portion  12 . 
         [0025]    Rotatable ball assembly  150  may be any type of rotatable ball assembly known in the art, wherein a ball is retained in an opening in a device and permitted to rotate therein with a portion of the ball extending beyond the device and capable of contacting a work surface or work piece. As best shown in the embodiment depicted  FIGS. 1 through 3 , rotatable ball assembly  150  is preferably comprised of an arm portion  151 , a ball  152 , a retainer ring  154  and a plurality of ball bearings  156 . More specifically, arm portion  151  is an elongated member comprised of a first end  1510 , an opposing second end  1512  and an opening  1514  in said second end  1512  for receipt of a portion of ball  152 , as explained more fully below. The diameter of opening  1514  is slightly smaller than the diameter of ball  152 , which enables ball  152  to be rotatably retained by arm portion  151 , but still extend beyond arm portion  151  for contacting a work surface or work piece. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of first end  1510  of arm portion  151  is threaded to correspond to the threads in second opening  115  in body portion  110 . In this manner, rotatable ball assembly  150  may be removably attached to body portion  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a lock washer  160  may also be used to better secure rotatable ball assembly  150  to body portion  110 . 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , retainer ring  154  is a generally saucer-shaped ring comprised of a continuous opening  1540  therein for partial receipt of ball  152 , and a plurality of smaller ball bearing openings  1542  positioned in spaced apart fashion along the circumference of retainer ring  154  for partial receipt of ball bearings  156 . More specifically, retainer ring  154  is positioned within opening  1514  in arm portion  151 , wherein each of ball bearings  156  is positioned between a lip (not shown) in the interior of arm portion  151  and retainer ring  154  wherein a portion of each of said ball bearings  156  extends through a corresponding ball bearing opening  1542  for contact with ball  152 . When properly assembled, as shown in  FIG. 2 , ball  152  freely rotates on the second end  1512  of arm portion  151 . 
         [0028]    As an important feature of the present invention, it is preferred that ball  152  extend (in the outboard direction) between ⅛ and ½ of an inch beyond tip  16  of cutting device  10 . In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, ball  152  will extend ¼ of an inch beyond tip  16  of cutting device  10 , thereby maintaining a consistent and desirable gap between tip  16  and the work piece being cut (not shown) while cutting tool  10  is being rolled (via said rotatable ball assembly  150 ) along said work piece. A user of device  100  will appreciate that he/she can control the size of the gap (i.e., between tip  16  of cutting device  10  and a work piece) by properly positioning device  100  along head portion  12  so that the farthest portion of ball  152  extends the desired distance (i.e., ¼ of an inch) beyond tip  16  in the direction of the work surface or work piece. 
         [0029]    As previously stated, rotatable ball assembly  150  may take many different forms, provided that it includes a rotatable ball at the end of an arm portion and permits a user (not shown) to guide cutting device  10  along a work surface/piece in any direction while maintaining a consistent and desirable gap between tip  16  and said work surface/piece.  FIGS. 4-6  depict an alternative embodiment of a rotatable ball assembly  250  comprised of an arm portion  251 , a ball  252 , and a cap  254 . 
         [0030]    More specifically, arm portion  251  is an elongated member comprised of a first end  2510 , an opposing second end  2512  and an opening  2514  in said second end  2512  for receipt of a portion of ball  252 , as explained more fully below. The diameter of opening  2514  is slightly smaller than the diameter of ball  252 , which enables ball  252  to be rotatably retained by arm portion  251  and cap  254 , but still extend beyond cap  254  (in an outboard direction) for contacting a work surface (not shown), as described more fully below. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface of first end  2510  of arm portion  251  is threaded to correspond to the threads in second opening  115  in body portion  110 . In this manner, rotatable ball assembly  250  may be removably attached to body portion  110 . Likewise, at least a portion of the exterior surface of said second end  2512  is also threaded to correspond to the threads in cap  254 , as explained more fully below. 
         [0031]    Similar to ball  152 , ball  252  can also be any spherical ball known in the art with a relatively smooth surface. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , cap  254  is similar in appearance to an interior threaded nut, and is comprised of an inboard end  2540 , and outboard end  2542  and an opening  2544  extending between said inboard end  2540  and said outboard end  2542 . More specifically, at least a portion of the interior surface of cap  254  on inboard end  2540  is threaded to correspond with the threads on the exterior surface of said second end  2512  of arm portion  251 . Additionally, the diameter of opening  2544  on the outboard end  2542  is smaller than both the diameter of opening  2544  on the inboard end  2540  of cap  254  and the diameter of ball  252 , whereas the diameter of opening  2544  on the inboard end  2540  of cap  254  is larger than the diameter of ball  252 . The diameter of opening  2514  on arm portion  251  is also smaller than the diameter of ball  252 . In this manner, ball  252  can be placed within opening  2544  before cap  254  is removably attached to second end  2512  of arm portion  251 . Once cap  254  is attached to arm portion  251 , ball  252  is rotatably positioned between arm portion  251  and cap  254  with at least a portion of ball  252  extending beyond the outboard end  2542  of cap  254  for contacting a work surface or work piece. 
         [0032]    Similar to rotatable ball assembly  150 , it is also preferred that ball  252  extend (in the outboard direction) between ⅛ and ¼ of an inch beyond tip  16  of cutting device  10  when accessory device  100  is properly installed on cutting device  10 . In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, ball  252  will extend ¼ of an inch beyond tip  16  of cutting device  10 , thereby maintaining a consistent and desirable gap between tip  16  and the work surface being cut (not shown) while cutting tool  10  is being rolled (via said rotatable ball assembly  250 ) along said work surface. A user of device  100  will appreciate that he/she can control the size of the gap (i.e., between tip  16  of cutting device  10  and a work surface/piece) by properly positioning device  100  along head portion  12  so that the farthest portion of ball  252  extends the desired distance (i.e., approximately a ¼ of an inch) beyond tip  16  in an outboard direction. 
         [0033]    Having now described the general structure of a preferred embodiment of accessory device  100 , its function will now be described in general terms. A welder or technician (not shown) desiring to improve the consistency of a weld or make a precise cut in a work piece (not shown) may attach device  100  to a welding or cutting device, such as device  10 , by placing the head portion  12  into opening  114 , rotating said device  100  about said head portion  12  into a desired position, and tightening fastener  120  to secure device  100  to device  10 . As discussed above, a desired position of device  100  about said head portion  12  is such that the size of the gap or distance between tip  16  of cutting device  10  and a work piece when ball  152 ,  252  is in contact with said work piece is approximately ¼ of an inch. The technician may then guide the cutting device along the work piece via ball  152  or  252  in virtually any direction he/she desires, while maintaining a relatively constant distance between device  10  and said work piece. 
         [0034]    Other variations are also within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0035]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0036]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.