System and method for adjusting feed roll position in a welding torch

Abstract

A welding system includes a welding torch assembly including a body, a first feed roll, a second feed roll, and a lever. The first and second feed rolls are both configured to rotate with respect to the body, and the first and second feed rolls are disposed opposite from one another about a welding wire feed region. The lever is configured to pivot at a first end of the lever about a lever joint of the body, and the second feed roll is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of a second end of the lever. The second feed roll is adjacent to the first feed roll in the first position, the second feed roll is not adjacent to the first feed roll in the second position, and the lever is configured to maintain the feed roll in the second position.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 urging a first feed roll between a feed position and an open position relative to a second feed roll via a lever rotatably coupled to a body in a welding torch;   maintaining the first feed roll in the feed position adjacent to the second feed roll when the lever is positioned in a first orientation relative to the body; and   maintaining the first feed roll in the open position away from the second feed roll when the lever is positioned in a second orientation relative to the body.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising offsetting the second orientation from the first orientation by approximately 90-115 degrees along a plane. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein urging the first feed roll comprises pivoting the lever at a first end of the lever about a pivot joint of the body in response to movement of a second end of the lever. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising engaging an arm coupled to the first feed roll with a cam surface of the lever as the lever pivots about the pivot joint. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising biasing the first feed roll toward the second feed roll via a spring. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising blocking closure of a door of the welding torch when the first feed roll is in the open position. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising engaging an arm coupled to the second feed roll, wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the body via a pin and configured to pivot relative to the body when urged by the lever. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lever comprises a cam surface, and further comprising urging the arm to pivot relative to the body as the lever pivots about the lever joint. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lever comprises a rounded surface, and further comprising engaging the arm using the rounded surface of the lever, wherein rotation of the lever with respect to the body urges a first end of the arm coupled to the second feed roll toward or away from the first feed roll. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising using the lever to maintain the second feed roll in the second position when the second end of the lever is positioned in an orientation substantially parallel to welding wire feed region. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising blocking closure of a door of the welding torch when the lever holds the second feed roll in the second position. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , configuring driving via the first and second feed rolls a welding wire in the first position, and wherein the second position facilitates hand threading of the welding wire through the welding wire feed region.