Patent · US12350759B2 · B2 · US

Screw lock for securing welding lead connectors together

(11) Publication number

US12350759B2

(21) Application number

18/624,591

(22) Filing date

2024-04-02

(30) Priority date

2021-03-03

(43) Publication date

2025-07-08

(45) Date of grant

2025-07-08

(51) IPC

B23K 35/02; F16B 7/18; H01R 13/52; H01R 9/11

(52) CPC

B23K Soldering or unsoldering; welding; cladding or plating by soldering or welding; cutting by applying heat locally, e.g. flame cutting; working by laser beam: 35/0261
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 7/18
H01R Electrically-conductive connections; structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements; coupling devices; current collectors: 13/5213, 9/11

(73) Assignee

ALPHA/OMEGA ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC

(72) Inventors

PEARMAN BRADLEY LANCE; ELLIS CAYMAN LEE

(54) Title

Screw lock for securing welding lead connectors together

(57) Abstract

A screw lock kit and apparatus including three hollow members for securing welding lead connectors together wherein a first hollow member is held against a second hollow member by engagement of a third hollow member with the second hollow member. A method for securing welding lead connectors together using the screw lock apparatus.

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Claims (5)

An apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead, the apparatus comprising: a. a first hollow member defining a first hollow member space, the first hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; b. a second hollow member defining a second hollow member space, the second hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member; and c. a third hollow member defining a third hollow member space wherein the first end of the first hollow member and the second end of the second hollow member are held proximate to one another inside the third hollow member space, the third hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; iii. a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member wherein the second screw thread is engaged with the first screw thread of the second hollow member; and iv. an inward facing second ridge along the first end of the third hollow member wherein the inward facing second ridge is adjacent to the outward facing first ridge of the first hollow member and blocks the outward facing first ridge from moving relative to the inward facing second ridge, thereby securing the first hollow member to the second hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges is a second plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges, wherein the plurality of channels is a second plurality of channels, wherein the first hollow member further comprises a first plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the first hollow member wherein the first plurality of ridges define a first plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the first hollow member, wherein the first plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the first hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.
A kit of disassembled parts of a screw lock apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead, the kit comprising: a. a first hollow member defining a first hollow member space, the first hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; b. a second hollow member defining a second hollow member space, the second hollow member further comprising: i. A first end; ii. a second end; and iii. a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member; and c. a third hollow member defining a third hollow member space, the third hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; iii. a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member; and iv. an inward facing second ridge along the first end of the third hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.
The kit of claim 3, wherein the plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges is a second plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges, wherein the plurality of channels is a second plurality of channels, wherein the first hollow member further comprises a first plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the first hollow member wherein the first plurality of ridges define a first plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the first hollow member, wherein the first plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the first hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.
A method for securing a first welding lead connector to a second welding lead connector, the method comprising: a. connecting the first welding lead connector to the second welding lead connector; b. sliding a first hollow member onto the first welding lead connector, wherein the first hollow member has a first end, a second end, and an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; c. sliding a second hollow member onto the second welding lead connector, wherein the second hollow member has a first end, a second end, and a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member, wherein the first end of the first hollow member is proximate to the second end of the second hollow member; d. sliding a third hollow member onto the first hollow member; e. screwing the third hollow member onto the second hollow member, wherein the first end of the first hollow member and the second end of the second hollow member are held proximate to one another inside the third hollow member space, wherein the third hollow member has a first end, a second end, and a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member that engages with the first screw thread of the second hollow member, wherein the third hollow member includes an inward facing second ridge along a first end of the third hollow member, and wherein the inward facing second ridge is adjacent to the outward facing first ridge of the first hollow member and blocks the outward facing first ridge from moving relative to the inward facing second ridge, thereby securing the first hollow member to the second hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.

Description

This disclosure relates to the field of welding. More particularly, this disclosure relates to an apparatus for securing welding lead cable connectors together.

Welding leads (or “welding cable”) is an electrical conductor for transmitting a welding current used for welding materials together (e.g., for arc welding or resistance welding). Welding leads typically include small copper strands wrapped together inside a nonconductive outer layer. Such leads typically have enlarged ends in the form of cable connectors wherein one end is typically a male end and the other a female end with both make and female features being highly conductive. Welding leads can be both dangerous and expensive. Some dangers include potential electrocution if the connection between a first welding lead cable connector connected to a second welding leads cable connector becomes loose and conductive material is exposed outside or otherwise being the nonconductive outer layer of the welding leads. Although some welding leads have features that help to better secure a connection between other welding leads, connections between welding lead cable connectors can still easily become loose or become disengaged altogether. The relative ease at which such leads can be disconnected also makes them susceptible to theft.

What is needed, therefore, is a device and method to overcome the issues mentioned above related to common welding leads.

The above and other needs are met by an apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead.

Citations (77)

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EP0918590A1
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WO2015047552A1
WO9749519A1

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US12350759B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Screw lock for securing welding lead connectors together",
  "abstract": "A screw lock kit and apparatus including three hollow members for securing welding lead connectors together wherein a first hollow member is held against a second hollow member by engagement of a third hollow member with the second hollow member. A method for securing welding lead connectors together using the screw lock apparatus.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead, the apparatus comprising: a. a first hollow member defining a first hollow member space, the first hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; b. a second hollow member defining a second hollow member space, the second hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member; and c. a third hollow member defining a third hollow member space wherein the first end of the first hollow member and the second end of the second hollow member are held proximate to one another inside the third hollow member space, the third hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; iii. a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member wherein the second screw thread is engaged with the first screw thread of the second hollow member; and iv. an inward facing second ridge along the first end of the third hollow member wherein the inward facing second ridge is adjacent to the outward facing first ridge of the first hollow member and blocks the outward facing first ridge from moving relative to the inward facing second ridge, thereby securing the first hollow member to the second hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges is a second plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges, wherein the plurality of channels is a second plurality of channels, wherein the first hollow member further comprises a first plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the first hollow member wherein the first plurality of ridges define a first plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the first hollow member, wherein the first plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the first hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.",
    "3. A kit of disassembled parts of a screw lock apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead, the kit comprising: a. a first hollow member defining a first hollow member space, the first hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; b. a second hollow member defining a second hollow member space, the second hollow member further comprising: i. A first end; ii. a second end; and iii. a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member; and c. a third hollow member defining a third hollow member space, the third hollow member further comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; iii. a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member; and iv. an inward facing second ridge along the first end of the third hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.",
    "4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges is a second plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges, wherein the plurality of channels is a second plurality of channels, wherein the first hollow member further comprises a first plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the first hollow member wherein the first plurality of ridges define a first plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the first hollow member, wherein the first plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the first hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector.",
    "5. A method for securing a first welding lead connector to a second welding lead connector, the method comprising: a. connecting the first welding lead connector to the second welding lead connector; b. sliding a first hollow member onto the first welding lead connector, wherein the first hollow member has a first end, a second end, and an outward facing first ridge along the first end of the first hollow member; c. sliding a second hollow member onto the second welding lead connector, wherein the second hollow member has a first end, a second end, and a first screw thread along an outer surface of the second hollow member, wherein the first end of the first hollow member is proximate to the second end of the second hollow member; d. sliding a third hollow member onto the first hollow member; e. screwing the third hollow member onto the second hollow member, wherein the first end of the first hollow member and the second end of the second hollow member are held proximate to one another inside the third hollow member space, wherein the third hollow member has a first end, a second end, and a second screw thread along an interior surface of the third hollow member that engages with the first screw thread of the second hollow member, wherein the third hollow member includes an inward facing second ridge along a first end of the third hollow member, and wherein the inward facing second ridge is adjacent to the outward facing first ridge of the first hollow member and blocks the outward facing first ridge from moving relative to the inward facing second ridge, thereby securing the first hollow member to the second hollow member, wherein the second hollow member further comprises a plurality of parallel lengthwise ridges along an inner surface of the second hollow member wherein the plurality of ridges define a plurality of parallel lengthwise channels along the inner surface of the second hollow member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to physically accommodate lengthwise ridges along a welding lead connector when the second hollow member is slid onto a welding lead connector."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to the field of welding. More particularly, this disclosure relates to an apparatus for securing welding lead cable connectors together.\n\nWelding leads (or “welding cable”) is an electrical conductor for transmitting a welding current used for welding materials together (e.g., for arc welding or resistance welding). Welding leads typically include small copper strands wrapped together inside a nonconductive outer layer. Such leads typically have enlarged ends in the form of cable connectors wherein one end is typically a male end and the other a female end with both make and female features being highly conductive. Welding leads can be both dangerous and expensive. Some dangers include potential electrocution if the connection between a first welding lead cable connector connected to a second welding leads cable connector becomes loose and conductive material is exposed outside or otherwise being the nonconductive outer layer of the welding leads. Although some welding leads have features that help to better secure a connection between other welding leads, connections between welding lead cable connectors can still easily become loose or become disengaged altogether. The relative ease at which such leads can be disconnected also makes them susceptible to theft.\n\nWhat is needed, therefore, is a device and method to overcome the issues mentioned above related to common welding leads.\n\nThe above and other needs are met by an apparatus for securing a first welding to a second welding lead.",
  "cpc": [
    "B23K 35/0261",
    "F16B 7/18",
    "H01R 13/5213",
    "H01R 9/11"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23K 35/02",
    "F16B 7/18",
    "H01R 13/52",
    "H01R 9/11"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ALPHA/OMEGA ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "PEARMAN BRADLEY LANCE",
    "ELLIS CAYMAN LEE"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2024-04-02",
  "publication_date": "2025-07-08",
  "grant_date": "2025-07-08",
  "priority_date": "2021-03-03",
  "application_number": "US-202418624591-A",
  "family_id": "83116741",
  "citations": [
    "CA552341A",
    "EP0918590A1",
    "GB1327584A",
    "GB907905A",
    "GB931500A",
    "US10056745B2",
    "US10431930B1",
    "US10658790B2",
    "US10720731B2",
    "US10746329B2",
    "US10749296B2",
    "US10870163B1",
    "US11271342B2",
    "US11951573B2",
    "US122396A",
    "US142388A",
    "US2002092837A1",
    "US2004097120A1",
    "US2004144758A1",
    "US2005136716A1",
    "US2010126977A1",
    "US2012064744A1",
    "US2013119041A1",
    "US2013212842A1",
    "US2014038470A1",
    "US2015069114A1",
    "US2015354730A1",
    "US2017087658A1",
    "US2018166871A1",
    "US2018368536A1",
    "US2020141524A1",
    "US2020144767A1",
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    "US6074238A",
    "US6099340A",
    "US6149445A",
    "US6171132B1",
    "US6184492B1",
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    "US6280235B1",
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    "US7550672B2",
    "US7628428B2",
    "US7722086B2",
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    "US8450648B2",
    "US8870587B2",
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    "WO2015047552A1",
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  ]
}

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