Patent ID: 7389900

Claim:
A wire guide adapted and configured to convey a weld wire in a weld wire drive assembly that utilizes drive rolls, and to provide lateral support to such weld wire in such weld wire drive assembly, said wire guide comprising: (a) a first wire guide portion having (i) a first elongate body having an outer surface, a first length, and first and second ends; (ii) a first elongate bore, extending along the length of, and through, said first elongate body; and (b) a second wire guide portion having (i) a second elongate body having an outer surface, a second length, and third and fourth ends; (ii) a second elongate bore, extending along the second length of, and through, said second elongate body; wherein the wire guide interfaces the drive rolls of the weld wire drive assembly, and wherein one of the first and second ends has a first engagement member and one of said third and fourth ends having a second engagement member, the first and second engagement members interfacing with each other by sliding engagement, thus enabling the first and second wire guide portions to axially advance toward each other and to axially regress away from each other while the wire guide interfaces the drive rolls, accommodating dynamic movements of the drive rolls during use.