	US 12,202,085 B2
	Contact tip and receiving assembly of a welding torch
Robert Joseph Centner, Frankfort, IL (US); and Robert Lloyd Warning, Cedar Lake, IL (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 7, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/987,703.
Application 16/987,703 is a continuation of application No. 15/253,414, filed on Aug. 31, 2016, granted, now 10,773,332.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/220,732, filed on Sep. 18, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0361019 A1, Nov. 19, 2020
Int. Cl. B23K 9/29 (2006.01); B23K 9/12 (2006.01); B23K 9/173 (2006.01); B23K 9/32 (2006.01)

CPC B23K 9/295 (2013.01) [B23K 9/123 (2013.01); B23K 9/173 (2013.01); B23K 9/325 (2013.01)]

9 Claims

1. A method of securing a contact tip to a welding torch, comprising:

partially securing the contact tip to a receiver of the welding torch by applying an axial force on the contact tip in a first direction into the receiver until a recess in the contact tip aligns with a retainer and the retainer engages the recess in the contact tip; and

fully securing the contact tip to the receiver by securing the retainer to the contact tip, the securing of the retainer comprising securing a welding nozzle to the receiver to apply a radially inward force to the retainer while the retainer is engaged in the recess of the contact tip,

wherein a retention band disposed around the retainer provides a first force on the retainer that partially secures the contact tip to the receiver and wherein the first force is provided via an abutment between the retention band and the retainer.