Positioning attachment for a welding torch

Abstract

A positioning attachment for definition of torch angle and torch to workpiece distance during welding and/or training is provided. The positioning attachment includes one or more legs of equal or varied lengths capped with a tip, which contacts the workpiece, and a body, which may be permanently attached or removably secured to the welding torch nozzle. Certain embodiments may be made of heat resistant metals or ceramic to withstand high temperatures during welding. The positioning attachment may be mounted on the welding torch nozzle or provided as an extension of the contact tip.

1 . A positioning attachment for a welding torch comprising:
 a leg configured to extend from the welding torch and to touch a workpiece to define either a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece, an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , comprising two legs configured to extend from the welding torch and to touch a workpiece during welding, the legs having respective lengths that define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         3 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , comprising three legs configured to extend from the welding torch and to touch a workpiece during welding, two of the legs having equal lengths and a third leg having a different length to define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         4 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the leg is permanently attached to a torch nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning attachment is configured to be removably secured to a torch nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning attachment is part of a contact tip of the welding torch. 
     
     
         7 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , comprising a replaceable tip secured to an end of the leg. 
     
     
         8 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning attachment is made of a metal resistant to heat developed during a welding operation. 
     
     
         9 . The positioning attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning attachment is made of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         10 . A positioning attachment for a welding torch comprising:
 a body configured to be removably secured to a welding torch nozzle; and   a plurality of legs extending from the body and configured to touch a workpiece to define a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece, and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece.   
     
     
         11 . The positioning attachment of  claim 10 , comprising two legs extending from the body and having respective lengths that define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         12 . The positioning attachment of  claim 10 , comprising three legs extending from the body, two of the legs having equal lengths and a third leg having a different length to define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         13 . The positioning attachment of  claim 10 , comprising a replaceable tip secured to an end of each of the legs. 
     
     
         14 . The positioning attachment of  claim 10 , wherein the body and legs are made of a material resistant to heat developed during a welding operation. 
     
     
         15 . The positioning attachment of  claim 14 , wherein the positioning attachment comprises 4 legs of at least 3 different lengths. 
     
     
         16 . The positioning attachment of  claim 14 , wherein the positioning attachment is made of a metal or ceramic material. 
     
     
         17 . A positioning attachment for a welding torch comprising:
 a body configured to be removably secured to a nozzle of a welding torch; and   a plurality of legs extending from the body and configured to touch a workpiece during welding to define a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece, and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece.   
     
     
         18 . The positioning attachment of  claim 17 , comprising two legs extending from the body and having respective lengths that define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         19 . The positioning attachment of  claim 17 , comprising three legs extending from the body, two of the legs having equal lengths and a third leg having a different length to define both a distance between the welding torch and the workpiece and an angle of the welding torch with respect to the workpiece. 
     
     
         20 . The positioning attachment of  claim 17 , comprising a replaceable tip secured to an end of each of the legs.