US 11,883,915 B2
Rotating power connector for welding torch cables
Tiejun Ma, Tecumseh (CA); Romeo Cossette, Amherstburg (CA); and Craig Matthew Bondy, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/411,384.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/077,353, filed on Sep. 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0080521 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B23K 9/32 (2006.01); H01R 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/323 (2013.01) [H01R 35/04 (2013.01); B23K 9/325 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch comprising:
an outer housing having a longitudinal axis;
a connector pin arranged within the outer housing and extending from a first end of the outer housing;
a stud arranged within the outer housing and extending from a second end of the outer housing; and
one or more electrical contact rings arranged within the outer housing and encircling the connector pin or the stud, the one or more electrical contact rings including one or more contact extensions biased toward an external surface of the connector pin or the stud to provide electrical contact between the one or more contact extensions and the external surface during rotation of the rotating power connector relative to a unicable.