Electric Connector Engaging a Welder to a Spot Welding Tool

Abstract

An electrical connector for removably engaging a welder to a spot welding tool having a first arm in a pivoting engagement to a second arm. The connector features an electrically conductive member engaged to or forming a powered translating shaft of a welder which is surrounded by a housing. The connector engages within a passage formed in a coupling to communicate forward and rearward movement and electric current to a first arm of a spot welding tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical connector for removably engaging a welder to a spot welding tool having a first arm in a pivoting engagement to a second arm, comprising:
 a conductive member having a first end opposite a second end thereof;   said first end of said conductive member engageable to a translating shaft of a welder;   a coupling, said coupling configured at a first end thereof to form a connection to said first arm of said spot welder tool;   said second end of said conductive member slidable to an engagement with a second end of said coupling;   said translating shaft moveable in a first direction toward said coupling to thereby rotate said first arm to move a first electrode engaged thereto toward a second electrode engaged to said second arm, wherein electric current communicated from said welder through said conductive member to said coupling will energize said first electrode and said second electrode to form a spot weld on metal placed therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical connector of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 an exterior surface of said conductive member having a tapered portion thereof;   an interior surface of an interior passage extending into said second end of said coupling, having a tapered section thereof; and   said engagement of said second end of said coupling to said second end of said conductive member positioning said tapered portion of said exterior surface of said conductive member in contact with said tapered section of said interior surface of said passage.   
     
     
         3 . The electrical connector of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said connection of said coupling at said first end thereof, being a rotational engagement with said first arm.   
     
     
         4 . The electrical connector of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 said connection of said coupling at said first end thereof, being a rotational engagement with said first arm.   
     
     
         5 . The electrical connector of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.   
     
     
         6 . The electrical connector of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.   
     
     
         7 . The electrical connector of  claim 3 , additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.   
     
     
         8 . The electrical connector of  claim 4 , additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said second end of said conductive member with said second end of said coupling being a locked engagement.   
     
     
         9 . The electrical connector of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;   at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;   a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;   an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;   an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and   a locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.   
     
     
         10 . The electrical connector of  claim 5 , additionally comprising:
 a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;   at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;   a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;   an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;   an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and   said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.   
     
     
         11 . The electrical connector of  claim 6 , additionally comprising:
 a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;   at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;   a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;   an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;   an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and   said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.   
     
     
         12 . The electrical connector of  claim 8 , additionally comprising:
 a collar slidably engaged around an exterior surface of said coupling;   at least one ball positioned within a ball passage, said ball passage communicating with said interior passage of said coupling;   a biasing member biasing said collar toward said second end of said coupling to a locking position;   an interior surface of said collar biasing said ball within said ball passage to a position having a portion of said ball projecting into said interior passage of said collar;   an annular recess formed into said exterior surface of said conductive member; and   said locked engagement formed by said portion of said ball projecting into said passage of said collar being positioned within said annular recess.   
     
     
         13 . The electrical connector of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and   a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.   
     
     
         14 . The electrical connector of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and   a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.   
     
     
         15 . The electrical connector of  claim 6 , additionally comprising:
 said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and   a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.   
     
     
         16 . The electrical connector of  claim 8 , additionally comprising:
 said translating shaft of said welder being surrounded by a housing; and   a connector for engaging said housing to said second arm of said welder.