US 11,707,794 B2
Welding lead connector and welding lead connector including locking mechanism
Bradley Lance Pearman, Cumberland Gap, TN (US); and Kenny Lavelle Miller, Madeira Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC, Cumberland Gap, TN (US)
Filed by Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC, Cumberland Gap, TN (US)
Filed on May 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/327,900.
Application 17/327,900 is a continuation of application No. 17/004,181, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,020,812.
Application 17/004,181 is a continuation of application No. 16/872,762, filed on May 12, 2020, granted, now 10,870,163, issued on Dec. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0354226 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B23K 9/10 (2006.01); H01R 4/70 (2006.01); H01R 13/518 (2006.01); H01R 13/639 (2006.01); H01R 33/97 (2006.01); B23K 9/32 (2006.01); H01R 13/70 (2006.01); H01R 13/52 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/10 (2013.01) [B23K 9/321 (2013.01); H01R 4/70 (2013.01); H01R 13/518 (2013.01); H01R 13/5213 (2013.01); H01R 13/6397 (2013.01); H01R 13/701 (2013.01); H01R 33/97 (2013.01)] 1 Claim
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of securing a male welding lead connector to a female welding lead connector, the method comprising:
a. providing a male welding lead connector comprising:
i. a slide button;
ii. a male welding lead connector core member including a first end and a second end, the male welding lead connector core member further comprising:
1. a male welding lead connector core member slot extending lengthwise at least partially along the male welding lead connector core member; and
2. a protuberance extending radially outward proximate to the second end of the male welding lead connector core member; and
iii. a slidable member comprising a first end and a second end, the slidable member engaged in the male welding lead connector core member slot and configured to slide from a first position wherein the second end of the slidable member is farther from the second end of the male welding lead connector core member to a second position wherein the second end of the slidable member is closer to the second end of the male welding lead connector core member;
b. providing a female welding lead connector comprising a female welding lead connector core member, the female welding lead connector core member further comprising:
i. a cavity extending into the female welding lead connector core member, the cavity configured for receiving the second end of the core member;
ii. a first longitudinal segment of the female welding lead connector core member further comprising:
1. an entrance aperture defining an entrance to the cavity along a first end of the first longitudinal segment; and
2. a first longitudinal segment slot extending from the first end of the first longitudinal segment to a second end of the longitudinal segment;
iii. a gap directly adjacent to the first longitudinal segment along a side portion of the female welding lead connector core member wherein the first longitudinal segment slot extends to a juncture where the first longitudinal segment slot meets the gap and wherein the gap extends around the side portion of the female welding lead connector core member beyond the juncture;
c. inserting the second end of the male welding lead connector core member into the cavity of the female welding lead connector a distance sufficient for the protuberance to move through the first longitudinal segment slot and into the gap; and
d. rotating the female welding lead connector relative to the male welding lead connector such that the protuberance moves along the gap beyond the juncture.