Abstract:
The present invention is a device and apparatus to protect a welder&#39;s eyesight, including a protective shield in a window frame, the frame having a pivotable slotted flange acting as a socket for a rotatable wire rope anchor connected, through the flange, by a wire rope to an automatic or manual, remotely operable actuator. The actuator can be conveniently mounted to welding equipment, such as a cutting handle, using an interchangeable base. The base has means for attachment to the cutting handle, and means for removable and/or adjustable attachment to the actuator device using interlocking mounts. The invention further includes a means to inhibit energy flow to welding equipment while the vision-protecting window is open.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending Colombian Patent Application No. 9949821. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to welding shields and, more particularly, welding shields having manual or automatic, remotely operable vision protecting windows. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     When performing welding, a face shield is used in which a filter-holder window (or window frame) is manually operated, typically requiring the use of at least one arm to raise and to lower the shield. When pointing to the welding target, it is relatively troublesome to lower and to lift up the vision protector at each welding point. Thus, a disproportionate effort may be required when welding, due to repeated lowering and raising of the face shield. For this reason, many welders choose to refrain from using the face shield, considering that it will often suffice to ignore the safety device and simply turn the face to keep from being injured by the rays coming from weld light. However, the result of taking this approach can be accidental direct visual exposure to welding light. 
     It is also laborious to handle the face shield when one&#39;s hands are in use, e.g., when applying welding material such as inox. steel (Argon). When welding material is applied, often the welding point is located, and the vision protector is operated, by the same arm. This can lead to improper targeting of the welding site by the welding tool, and occasional application of the welding tool upon a site other than what is required or intended. 
     Some prior art face shields include a vision protector comprising a lens which darkens with welding light contact. Despite the relatively fast darkening of such lenses, due to the velocity of the welding light, the rate at which the lens darkens will never be greater than or even equal to the rate at which the welding light rays can travel from the point of welding application to the shield lens or eye. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the inconvenience referred to above by outfitting the vision protecting window of welding equipment with a remotely operable (foot or finger actuated) actuator, powered by lever with rope wire, or with hydraulic, pneumatic, solar or electric power to conveniently and easily open and shut the window. The device also reduces the number of accidents involving direct eye exposure to welding light by including a means to inhibit the energy flow to the handle or cutter portion of welding equipment while the eye protecting window is open, and to automatically resume energy flow when the window is closed or shut. 
     Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to ensure that the protective window is closed during the welding process. 
     It is another object of the invention to enable the window mechanisms to be opened and closed as many times as required while welding is performed in a safe and efficient manner, thus maintaining welding application effectiveness and work quality. 
     To further elucidate the invention, its features and advantages are described in detail, and supported by the following drawings: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective and schematic view of the vision protector with the protective window in an open position, and a welding-handle-mounted actuator coupled to the vision protector by a rope wire. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective and schematic view of the vision protector with protective window in a closed position, together with the welding-handle-mounted actuator having a distended plug. 
     FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a modular welding-handle-mounted L-shaped connector base that can be slidably coupled to a window actuator using complementary tapered bars, and without using holding screws. 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a welding-handle-mounted L-shaped connector base that can be slidably coupled to a window actuator using complementary tapered bars, and without using holding screws. 
     FIG. 5 shows a worm-clamp connector base designed to mount the window actuator to a cutting or welding handle without using a set screw. 
     FIG. 6 shows a perspective and schematic view of a vision protector having a foot pedal actuated window 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a vision protector with the window openable by means of an air or oil-driven dual-acting plug. 
     FIG. 8 shows a side and schematic view of a finger-operable, pneumatic or hydraulic actuated vision protector of bellow, diaphragm, or plug-type. 
     FIG. 9 shows a perspective and schematic view of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuated vision protector operable by a foot. 
     FIG. 10 shows a perspective and schematic view of a solar or electric-powered, push-button-actuated vision protector with the protective window in an open position. An electromagnetic work element is also shown. The automatic push button is located on the welding handle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a welder&#39;s vision protector  1  having a housing unit connected (preferably pivotably connected) to a window frame  12  (sometimes referred to as “filter-holder window.”) Vision protector  1  is connected to a window actuator  2  through a sheath  3  and a wire rope  4 . In operation, when pressing actuator plug  7  with finger  8 , lever  5  pivots on finger lever fulcrum  6  and actuates wire rope  4 . A first end of rope  4  is coupled to a first anchor  10  (sometimes referred to as a “screwed-sphere,” or “wire rope-press head,” or “plug-press head”) through a curvilinear (preferably spherical) flange  9  mounted on an edge of window frame  12 . The first anchor is captured by and in rotatable opposition to the slotted flange. Preferably, the first anchor is also spherical in shape. 
     The filter-holder may be made from a plastic thermostable or thermoformable material or fiberglass, and may have a metal coating. Flange  9  has an inside surface sized to capture first anchor  10  of wire rope  4  and a substantially vertical first slot  13  having a width so as to receive wire rope  4  with minimal to no friction. Flange  9  is supported on and rotates about pivot point  11 . When flange  9  is acted upon by first anchor  10  of wire rope  4 , window frame  12  is raised (i.e., it opens). First slot  13  allows rotation of flange  9  during the opening and closing of window frame  12 , without altering the orientation of wire rope  4  between sheath  3  and anchor  10 , which is generally a linear and horizontal path. Thus, flange  9 , together with slot  13 , enables the segment of wire rope  4  which extends from first coupler  28   a  to flange  9  to remain in a path that is essentially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the portion of sheath  3  proximate first coupler  28   a.    
     Between window arm  15   a  and a top front edge  14   a  of window frame  12 , and between lateral spring ends  14  and  15  of window frame  12 , are a plurality of springs  16 , including top compression-type springs and at least one lateral tension springs. Each of springs  16  are gauged and designed to close window frame  12  when actuator plug  7  is released. Window frame  12  can be locked open by pressing plug  7  with finger  8  and, at the same time, by shifting plug  7  from line  19  in order to align whetstone cavity  17  of plug  7  with whetstone wedge  18 . Window frame  12  is unlocked by again pressing plug  7  in and shifting it back towards line  19 , thereby dislodging wedge  18  from cavity  17 . Thereafter, as finger  8  is withdrawn from plug  7 , window frame  12  is again closed due to springs  16 . 
     Window actuator  2  may also include a mechanism to energize or to de-energize a welder&#39;s cutting implement by means of a wireless switch  20  or battery, located in the handle of the welding tool, to affect a signal to a shut-off mechanism in the welding or cutting mechanism. The wireless switch sends a signal to the cutting equipment which interrupts the flow of energy to the cutter. For both the wire-rope-tethered and wireless actuators, energy flow is interrupted whenever window frame  12  is in an open position due to the position of sensors  21  and  22 , as a function of plug  7 . Plug  7  is fitted with a safety sensor. The sensor is in communication with a mirror located in the finger plug. Thus, energy is supplied to a welding tool as a function of movement of finger plug  7  and of sensors  21  and  22 . Similarly, when finger plug  7  is distended and window frame  12  is closed by the springs, energy flow may resume. 
     FIG. 2 shows a vision protector  1  in a closed position, with plug  7  distended. As finger  8  is withdrawn from plug  7 , springs  16  are gauged to draw window frame  12  into a closed position. Actuator  2  is provided with an internal lever  5 , preferably V-shaped or Y-shaped. Lever  5  has a first end connected to plug  7  at an end of plug  7  opposite finger  8 . Between the first end and a second end of lever  5  is finger lever fulcrum  6 , and central hole  23  formed through fulcrum  6 , about which lever  5  pivots. 
     The second end of lever  5  has formed therethrough a socket  24  which receives second anchor  26  with minimal friction. Second anchor  26  is curvilinear in shape, preferably cylindrical or spherical, and is rotatably receivable in socket  24 . Preferably anchor  26  is connected to the wire rope using a grub screw  27 . Grub screw  27  may rotate independently of second anchor  26 . A grub screw  27  may be similarly disposed in first anchor  10 . 
     Socket  24  joins and otherwise communicates with a substantially vertical second slot  25  formed through the second end of lever  5 . Second slot  25  serves a function similar to first slot  13  of flange  9 . More specifically, second slot  25  enables wire rope  4 , even while lever  5  is rotated about finger lever fulcrum  6 , to maintain a substantially stable and level disposition. Preferably, rope  4  can maintain an essentially coaxial extension with the longitudinal axis of sheath  3 , proximate coupler  28 ( b ). Second slot  25  also serves to minimize friction upon, or disorientation of, wire rope  4 . 
     The spherical shape of first anchor  10  and second anchor  26  permits the anchors to rotate relative to flange  9  and socket  24 , respectively. The use of the grub screw  27  and the rotatability of the flange with respect to the frame, enables the wire rope to maintain its essentially horizontal disposition. This enables relative ease of movement with minimal twisting of wire rope  4  relative to the vision protector  1 , or relative to the handle of the cutting equipment or actuator  2 . It also keeps the vision protector from throttling or failing due to twisting of wire rope  4 , or the window actuator  2  from having its operation compromised. Each of the ends of sheath  3  maintain a coupler, together comprising a coupler system ( 28   a  and  28   b ). Couplers  28   a  and  28   b  enable wire  4  to remain firmly joined to vision protector  1  and to actuator  2 , respectively. The couplers also make it easy for wire  4  to rotate on its axis without any detaching, throttling or breaking. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, window actuator  2  maintains side lids  35  upon which are mounted two trapezoidal or tapered bars  33  and  34  for anchoring the actuator to the welding implement. Bars  33  and  34  maintain a plurality of cavities  36  into each of which a preferably rectangular adjustment pin  41  of a base extends. The tapered bars anchor actuator  2  to the electrode-holder pliers or cutting handle, so as to make it suitable for use by right-handed and left-handed operators alike. 
     FIG. 4 shows an L-shaped connector base  29  having a wing  30  with parallel slots  31 . Base  29  is coupled to both actuator  2  as well as to a cutting handle of a welding mechanism. Preferably, at least one screw  44  extends through one of the slots  31  so as to fasten base  29  to the cutting handle. Preferably at least two tapered bars,  37  and  38 , are mounted upon wing  32  in order to couple connector base  29  to actuator  2 . Tapered bars  37  and  38  of base  29  preferably interlock with tapered bars  33  and  34  of actuator  2 . Base  29  includes at least three rectangular bars  40 , each of which runs lengthwise along the side edges of bars  37  and  38 . Each of bars  40  is provided with a rectangular adjustment pin  41 . Pin  41  is receivable in the cavities  36  so as to afford any necessary adjustments between base  29  and the actuator. Bars  40  attach to the base at ends  42 . Opposite from ends  42 , bars  40  are coupled to pulse button  43 . When pushed, pulse button  43  depresses pins  41  and thereby disengages pins  41  from cavities  36 . In this way, several welders can use the same equipment with the appropriate protectors, and adjust them at their discretion and convenience. 
     FIG. 5 shows an alternate, preferably rectangular connector base  45 , utilizing a worm clamp. Base  45  is coupled to window actuator  2  using the tapered bars  37  and  38 , rectangular bars  40 , and pins  41  shown in FIG.  4 . However, in this case, the preferred means for attaching rectangular base  45  to a cutting handle is a substantially ring-shaped cylinder, such as a conventional worm clamp  47 . Worm clamp  47  is coupled to base  45 , preferably a plurality of screws. In essence, rectangular base  45  is designed to anchor actuator  2  to a handle of cutting equipment without the need for a setscrew. 
     Now referring to FIG. 6, which shows vision protector  1  with window frame  12  in an open position, as in FIG.  1 . In FIG. 6, the actuator is foot-driven by means of a foot lever actuator  50 . Applying downward pressure through foot  54  onto a front segment of lever  51  (i.e., towards base  52 ) causes rotation of lever  51  about foot lever fulcrum  53 . This results in retraction of wire rope  4  inside sheath  3 . This is due, in part, to the fact that wire rope  4  is coupled to base  52  through third anchor  126  of wire rope  4 . Head  126  is preferably spherical in shape. 
     In reference to FIG. 7, window frame  12  of vision protector  100  may be varied by having a dual-acting plug  55  spanning between points  14  and  15 . Dual-acting plug  55  is fed by a hose connected to actuator  2 . When loaded with oil or air pressure, plug  55  is extensible so as to open window frame  12  as a function of actuating devices such as those in FIG.  8 . When plug  7  is released, again however, window frame  12  may automatically close due to springs  16 . 
     FIG. 8 shows window actuator  200  which manually triggers the vision protector  100  shown in FIG.  7 . Again, window frame  12  is triggered or opened by air or oil pressure. Actuator  200  is outfitted with lever  500 , which pivots about axis  600 . As plug  7  is pressed inward, the space between the points  56  and  57  closes, thus contracting air bellow  58  or diaphragm  59 , or plug  60 . This contraction creates units of air or oil pressure (air for Bellow  58 , air or oil for diaphragm  59 , and air or oil for plug  60 ) which acts upon plug  55  of FIG. 7 to open window frame  12 . As finger  8  is released, spring  61  will decompress, as will the pressurizing mechanisms detailed above. Pitchfork  63 , at the end of the lever  500 , is supported by spherical member  62 . As in FIG. 1, whetstone cavity  17  may receive wedge  18  to lock open window frame  12  without requiring further manual pressure by finger  8 . Actuator  200  may also include the side lids of actuator  2  in FIG. 3 including tapered bars  37 - 38  for insertion into either the base  29  of FIG. 4 or the base  45  of FIG. 5 as required by the operator; it may also have the same microswitch  20 , and opposing sensors  210  and  220 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a pedal device  150  to be operated by foot  54 , which triggers a pneumatic or hydraulic vision protector  100 , as shown in FIG.  7 . The design also allows for the couple pressure units such as those in FIG.  8 . Such devices produce air or oil pressure when contracting the space between points  640  and  650  due to the pressing of pedal  510 . This makes pivot lever  660  pivot about point  530 . The manner of closing window frame  12  is the same as in FIG.  2 —that is, through springs  16  immediately after the pressure is released by foot  54 . 
     FIG. 10 shows a vision protector  110  similar to that of FIG. 1, but different in the sense that here, window frame  12  is lifted by electromagnet  67  which tugs at wire rope link  400 . Link  400  is connected through flange  9  to a wire rope anchor, similar to the first anchor shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  6 . Electromagnet  67  is powered by means of electric power  68  or by solar power  69  received through solar panels  79  located about window frame  12 . The solar energy is accumulated and store in batteries  71 . Button  72 , located on the welding handle, may communicate wirelessly with electromagnet  67 . Button  72  activates and deactivates electromagnet  67  to open and shut window from  12 . Electromagnet  67  opens window from  12  in otherwise a similar manner to that described in FIG. 1 (first anchor  10  acts upon flange  9  to lift up window frame  12 , etc). Again, window frame  12  shuts, as in FIG. 2, by means of springs  16  about window frame  12 .