Retractable work cable

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10710191-B2
Application number	US-201715476178-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2017
Priority date	Mar 31, 2017
Publication date	Jul 14, 2020
Grant date	Jul 14, 2020

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed of a welding-type system includes a welding-type power supply configured to provide welding-type power. A reel located within a housing of the welding-type power supply. A welding-type cable, the reel configured to wind the welding-type cable to reduce a length of the welding-type cable extending from the housing, and to unwind to increase a length of the welding-type cable extending from the housing at least partially wound around the reel when stored. The welding-type cable includes a first end secured to the reel and electrically connected to the welding-type power supply and a second end configured to provide the welding-type power to at least one welding-type tool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A welding-type system comprising:
a welding-type power supply configured to provide welding-type power;
a reel located within a housing of the welding-type power supply;
a welding-type cable, the reel configured to wind the welding-type cable to reduce a length of the welding-type cable extending from the housing, and to unwind and increase a length of the welding-type cable extending from the housing at least partially wound around the reel when stored, the welding-type cable comprising:
a first end secured to the reel and electrically connected to the welding-type power supply; and
a second end configured to provide the welding-type power to at least one welding-type tool, wherein the reel further comprises an electrical connector electrically connecting the first end of the welding-type cable to the welding-type power supply, the electrical connector comprising a first conductor ring connected to the first end of the welding-type cable and a second conductor ring connected to the welding-type power supply, the first conductor ring being concentric with the second conductor ring, and the first conductor ring being electrically connected to the second conductor ring.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second concentric conductor rings are rotationally aligned such, that during rotation of the reel, electric power is provided to the welding-type cable from the welding-type power supply via the first and second conductor rings.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second conductor rings comprises a layer of conductive material at an interface between the first and second conductor rings.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second conductor rings are circular in shape, and are positioned within a circular shaped cavity extending into one side of the reel.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring to provide tension for retracting the welding-type cable by winding the reel when the welding-type cable is at least partially removed from the housing.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the reel further comprises a locking ratchet to allow the welding-type cable to extend from an opening and prevent automatic retraction of the welding-type cable into the housing.

7. The system of claim 6 , the locking ratchet further configured to allow retraction of the welding-type cable into the housing upon release of the locking ratchet.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the welding-type cable includes an extension connector configured to prevent the second end of the welding-type cable from retracting into the housing.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the extension connector is part of a first electrical connector and is configured to both electrically and mechanically connect the welding-type tool to the welding-type cable.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the welding-type tool is one of a welding-type torch, a plasma cutter, an induction heating cable, or a work clamp.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reel is fixed to an interior surface of the housing.

12. A welding-type system comprising:
a welding-type power supply configured to provide welding-type power;
a reel located proximate the welding-type power supply;
a welding-type cable, the reel configured to wind the welding-type cable to reduce a length of the welding-type cable extending from the system, and to unwind to increase a length of the welding-type cable extending from the system at least partially wound around the reel when stored, the welding-type cable comprising:
a first end secured to the reel and electrically connected to the welding-type power supply; and
a second end configured to provide the welding-type power to at least one welding-type tool, wherein the reel further comprises an electrical connector electrically connecting the first end of the welding-type cable to the welding-type power supply, the electrical connector comprising a first conductor ring connected to the first end of the welding-type cable and a second conductor ring connected to the welding-type power supply, the first conductor ring being concentric with the second conductor ring, and the first conductor ring being electrically connected to the second conductor ring.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the reel comprises a cover to protect the welding-type cable during winding and unwinding of the welding-type cable on and off of the reel.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the reel cover includes a cavity housing the welding-type cable and the spring.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Schmitz Adam Richard
• Roehl Chris J
• Rozmarynowski Scott Ryan
• Macmullen Zachary William
• Goulet Lauren

Classifications

• B23K9/1006

  Power supply · CPC title

• B23K9/32

  Accessories · CPC title

• B23K9/327 Primary

  Means for transporting supplies · CPC title

• B65H75/42

  attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles · CPC title

• B65H75/4418

  Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means · CPC title