The present disclosure relates generally to multi-tools, and more particularly, to an apparatus for combining multiple welding tools.
People associated with creating and inspecting welds utilize a number of tools, some of which are specialized for welding purposes. These tools can often be stored and transported individually without protection for the tools or the user of the tools. When a collection of tools are stored and transported individually as described, they can often be misplaced. The tools can also be damaged by impact with other tools, impact with a hard surface after a fall, etc. The user carrying this relatively large number of tools can be poked, jabbed, and otherwise negatively affected by the tools as the user tries to grasp the tools within a pocket or a toolbox. Current methods for storing and transporting welding tools often include a random array of tools kept within a tool box or in a pocket. As such, consistently locating and protecting the individual tools can be difficult, and the user can be negatively affected by the lack of safety considerations involving loose tools. Furthermore, many of these tools lack substantial handles and/or grips enabling a user to have adequate leverage to apply suitable force or torques to the tools. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a welder multi-tool for safely containing a number of disparate welding-related tools that solves one or more of these problems.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview. Moreover, this summary is not intended to identify critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope of the disclosure. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts in simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In accordance with one aspect, a welder multi-tool is provided. The welder multi-tool includes a sleeve including a first leg portion and a second leg portion, and a bridge portion interconnecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion at respective first ends of the leg portions. The sleeve extends along a central axis passing through the bridge portion. The sleeve at least partially defines a space between the leg portions. The welder multi-tool also includes a single axle attached to the sleeve. The axle spans, along an axis, the space defined between the leg portions. The axis of the axle does not intersect the central axis of the sleeve. The welder multi-tool further includes a plurality of tools rotatably attached to the axle. The tools are movable to a home position between the leg portions. Each of the plurality of tools has a tool axis, and each tool axis is substantially parallel with the central axis of the sleeve when the plurality of tools is in the home position between the leg portions. Each tool axis does not intersect the axis of the axle. The plurality of tools includes a fillet gauge tool. The fillet gauge tool includes a central column including at least one set of graduated measurements. The fillet gauge tool further includes a measuring portion. The measuring portion is slidingly engaged with the central column. The measuring portion defines a slot. The fillet gauge tool still further includes a wing portion that is rotatably attached to the central column. The wing portion includes two angled surfaces such that the two angled surfaces form an angle having a vertex that intersects with the tool axis of the fillet gauge tool. The fillet gauge tool also includes a locking portion attached to the central column. The locking portion extends through the slot in the measuring portion. The plurality of tools further includes a thickness gauge tool. The thickness gauge tool includes a main portion defining a plurality of notches located on an edge of the main portion. Each of the notches includes a label indicating the nominal width of the notch as measured along the edge of the main portion.
In accordance with another aspect, a welder multi-tool is provided. The welder multi-tool includes a sleeve which includes a first leg portion and a second leg portion and a bridge portion interconnecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion at respective first ends of the leg portions. The sleeve extends along a central axis passing through the bridge portion. The sleeve at least partially defines a space between the leg portions. The welder multi-tool also includes a single axle attached to the sleeve. The axle spans, along an axis, the space defined between the leg portions. The axis of the axle does not intersect the central axis of the sleeve. The welder multi-tool further includes a plurality of tools rotatably attached to the axle and movable to a home position between the leg portions. Each of the plurality of tools has a tool axis, and each tool axis is substantially parallel with the central axis of the sleeve when the plurality of tools is in the home position between the leg portions. Each tool axis does not intersect the axis of the axle. The plurality of tools includes a fillet gauge tool, a thickness gauge tool, a soap stone, and a welding nozzle cleaner.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the present disclosure are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the present disclosure. For example, one or more aspects of the present disclosure can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation. Still further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements.
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The sleeve 14 at least partially defines a space 34 between the leg portions 16, 18. The space 34 created by the sleeve 14 is bounded on at least three sides, represented by the first leg portion 16, the second leg portion 18, and the bridge portion 26. The size of the space 34 can be predetermined to provide adequate room for various tools as will be described below. As is best seen in
Returning to
As is best seen in
As can be seen in the side view of
Any suitable attachment method can be used to secure the tools to the axle 36. In one example, each of the tools can include mounting structure such as a bearing 48 as is best seen in
Turning to
Turning to
The fillet gauge tool 54 also includes a measuring portion 64. The measuring portion 64 is slidingly engaged with the central column 56, and any suitable method of creating the sliding engagement between the measuring portion 64 and the central column 56 can be utilized. In the shown example, the measuring portion 64 has a length dimension that is significantly longer than its width dimension, and each end of the measuring portion 64 is tapered to help facilitate measurement of various aspects of welds. The measuring portion 64 also defines a slot 66. A plurality of indicating marks 68 can be included on the measuring portion 64, each indicating mark 68 corresponding with a set of graduated measurements 58 located on the measuring portion 64.
The fillet gauge tool 54 further includes a wing portion 70 which is rotatably attached to the central column 56. One example form of attachment of the wing portion 70 to the central column 56 is shown in
The fillet gauge tool 54 further includes a locking portion 88 attached to the central column 56. The locking portion 88 extends through the slot 66 in the measuring portion 64. In one example, the locking portion 88 can be generally cylindrical with a stepped outside diameter. With this configuration, a smaller outside diameter can pass through the slot 66 while a larger diameter at the end of the locking portion 88 that is not attached to the central column 56. This larger diameter can help maintain the sliding engagement of the measuring portion 64 with the central column 56. Working together with the pin 74, the locking portion 88 can also limit the sliding engagement of the measuring portion 64 with the central column 56 to a linear motion. Additionally, the shown configuration of the pin 74 and the locking portion 88 can also help maintain a parallel arrangement between the measuring portion 64 and the central column 56.
In a further example, the locking portion 88 can be threadingly engaged with the central column 56 such that rotation of the locking portion 88 can effectively clamp the measuring portion 64 between the locking portion 88 larger diameter section and the central column 56. In this way, the measuring portion 64 can be held in place to maintain a particular position showing a particular measurement. Alternatively, the welder multi-tool 10 having the measuring portion 64 locked in a desired location can also become a form of a “go-no go” gauge. In one example of a go-no go gauge, the measuring portion 64 is clamped in a particular position and the welder multi-tool 10 can be slid along a particular weld to see if the weld geometry defines predetermined desired dimensions. Rotation of the locking portion 88 in the opposite direction can then release the measuring portion 64 for further measurements.
The rotatable attachment between the wing portion 70 and the central column 56 enables the wing portion 70 to be placed in several orientations to facilitate several functions. With the wing portion 70 placed in position 90 as shown in solid lines in
In another example of weld dimension measurement, the fillet gauge tool 54 can be used to determine the leg length of the fillet weld. The wing portion 70 is rotated to the position 94 represented by dashed lines in
Turning to
In one example, the thickness gauge tool 98 also includes at least one rounded corner 108 defined by the edge of the main portion 100. The rounded corner 108 can be formed to a typical weld radius, such as ¼-inch or ½-inch. The thickness gauge tool 98 is labeled with the length of the radius, as shown in
Turning to
The welder multi-tool 10 can also include a welding nozzle cleaner 120. During some types of welding processes, for example metal inert gas (MIG) welding, the MIG welder nozzle can become contaminated with weld spatter. The weld spatter can interfere with the flow of weld wire and the inert gas passed through the nozzle. As such, it is sometimes beneficial to remove the weld spatter with a welding nozzle cleaner. The welding nozzle cleaner 120 enables the user to have a ready cleaning tool that can be inserted into a welding nozzle in order to abrade and/or scrape away the weld spatter that is located within the welding nozzle.
The welder multi-tool 10 can further include a scraper 124. The scraper includes a chisel-like end 126 that can be used to remove weld spatter and other undesired contaminants from the surfaces of welded materials and/or the weld. The scraper 124 can also include a file 128. The file can be used for several functions, for example, to abrade undesired weld spatter from a weld, modify the weld dimension, shape a welded material, etc. In another example, the scraper 124 and the file 128 can be separated so that they are included on individual tools.
The welder multi-tool 10 can also include other tools. In one example, the welder multi-tool 10 includes a magnifying glass 130. The magnifying glass can enable the user to inspect fine details of the weld and the weld material. The magnifying glass 130 can be constructed of any number of suitable materials including plastics, glass, etc. The welder multi-tool 10 can also include a tape measure 134. The tape measure 134 can include a wound tape 136 including a hook 138 at an exposed end 140. The tape measure 134 can be extended, for example up to about two feet, by pulling on the exposed end 140 of the tape 136. The tape 136 can also be sprung so that it is automatically refracted into the base 144 after use.
Of course, other tools can also be included in the welder multi-tool 10. For example, a knife 146. Any number of knife configurations can be used. In one example, the knife includes a smooth portion 148 and a serrated portion 150. The welder multi-tool 10 can also include a bottle opener 154. In one example the bottle opener 154 can also include a flat head drive 156 to operate slotted screws, pry open containers, etc. The welder multi-tool 10 can also include a Phillips head drive 158 to operate Phillips head screws.
As previously described, the disclosed welder multi-tool 10 includes an offset between the central axis 30 of the sleeve 14 and the axis 46 of the axle 36, such that the two do not intersect. This offset can enable more effective use of the welder multi-tool 10. When one tool is removed from its home position for use and the remaining tools stay in their home position, the tools and the sleeve 14 act as a handle for the tool being used. Most of the mass of the welder multi-tool 10 remains in sleeve for the user to grip and provide leverage for operating the one tool being used. Additionally, the configuration of the sleeve 14 and the rounded button 40 enable a better ergonomic fit to the hand. The dimensions of the sleeve 14 provide a substantial volume for the user's clenched first to grip, providing leverage for tool use. In one particular example, the total length of the welder multi-tool 10 as measured along the central axis 30 of the sleeve 14 can be about 3-inches to 4-inches long. The total width of the welder multi-tool 10 as measured along the axis 46 of the axle 36 can be about 1½-inches wide. Furthermore, the rounded button 40 provides a ready place on one side of the sleeve 14 for the user's thumb and on the opposite side of the sleeve 14 for the user's index finger to nest and/or gain leverage while using individual tools.
The welder multi-tool 10 also includes an offset between the tool axes 48 and the axis 46 of the axle 36. This offset provides a greater moment arm between the sleeve 14 and the remaining tools and the tool being used. The greater moment arm enables the user to more easily apply a desired torque on the tool being used, particularly the tools that require rotation during use.
Each of the tools included in the welder multi-tool 10 can be formed of suitable materials. However, it is to be appreciated that several of the tools can be formed relatively inexpensively with an initial stamping operation to a selected metal alloy and then finished with particular machining or finishing operations to place the tool in final form for inclusion in the welder multi-tool 10.
In a further example, the welder multi-tool 10 can include a magnet 164 as shown in
Several benefits are realized by the described welder multi-tool. The welder multi-tool provides a number of tools consolidated into one relatively compact tool for use by those associated with welding activities. The welder multi-tool can be conveniently stored and transported while maintaining organization of the individual tools. When the tools are in the home position, the sleeve serves to protect the tools from harm by impact, abrasion, jostling, etc. that may normally be associated with groups of tools collected in a bag, toolbox, or pocket. The sleeve also serves to protect the user such that the tools are less likely to poke, gouge, scratch, or otherwise negatively affect the user, particularly as the user reaches or gropes for desired tools in a pocket, tool box, etc. The offset sleeve and tool orientation from the axis enables the user to have a ready handle that provides additional leverage compared to other hand tools.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Example embodiments incorporating one or more aspects are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
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Entry |
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“7 Piece Fillet Weld Set”, online document available at http://www.newmantools.com/gauge/7piece.htm, Newman Tools, Inc., 2013. |
“US Forge Welding Tip Cleaner #00802”, online document available at http://www.amazon.com/US-Forge-Welding-Cleaner-00802/dp/B000UVR0NO, US Forge, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140259437 A1 | Sep 2014 | US |