Importance

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Abstract

A rotatable barrel mounting assembly comprising a main base barrel adapter structure of electrical conducting material that is detachably connectable with a connection block for cooling fluid, electrical, inert gas and welding wire sources of a MIG torch main housing that can be manually or robot manipulated. The barrel adapter structure is formed with a socket for rotatably receiving a curved barrel mounting end structure and establishing connections with the cooling fluid, inert gas and welding wire sources for use by a welding tip at the outer end of the barrel. Electrical connection with the barrel mounting end structure is accomplished by a collet nut of insulating material carried by the main base adapter structure, and which is rotatably operable to move flexible collet finger contacts on the main base adapter structure into engagement with a surface of the barrel mounting end structure and also hold the barrel in an adjusted rotated position. Other finger elements are also moved by the collet nut into and out of a position for holding the barrel mounting end structure against disconnection. A retainer ring normally permits movement of the collet nut to a position enabling rotatable adjustment of the curved barrel mounting end structure, but opposes movement of the collet nut to a position enabling its disconnection.

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First Claim