Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus is provided for feeding consumable welding electrode wire from a supply reel to a welding gun and comprises pairs of drive roll and drive gear assemblies associated with a wire guide plate assembly for feeding the wire along a linear path through the apparatus. The drive rolls are removably mounted on corresponding support shaft structures by a split snap ring component. The guide plate assembly comprises a guide plate having a guide slot milled therein and a cover plate overlying the slot to provide a wire guide passageway through the apparatus which is constantly linear and aligned with the wire drive rolls. A spring biased force transmitting assembly is associated with the support shaft structure for the upper drive roll and drive gear of each pair for adjusting the driving engagement between the drive rolls and a wire therebetween, and the force transmitting components are mounted on a pivotal arm and cover displaceable between closed and opened positions in which the force transmitting assemblies are respectively in operative and inoperative positions relative to the upper drive roll and drive gear assemblies. In the open position of the pivotal arm and cover, the drive rolls and drive plate assembly are accessible for removal and replacement.

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First Claim