One touch connection and disconnection method and apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power supply for a plasma arc system, the power supply comprising:
- a housing associated with the power supply;
a first connector disposed relative to the housing and adapted to mate with a second connector along a longitudinal axis;
a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the first connector and the second connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector and the second connector.
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Abstract
A first connector is disposed on a housing associated with a power supply for a plasma arc system or on a lead for a plasma arc torch. The first connector is adapted to mate with a second connector along a longitudinal axis. A locking member causes, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the first connector and second connector. Upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the locking member causes disengagement of the first connector and second connector. Methods for connecting and disconnecting a torch lead are also disclosed.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A power supply for a plasma arc system, the power supply comprising:
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a housing associated with the power supply;
a first connector disposed relative to the housing and adapted to mate with a second connector along a longitudinal axis;
a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the first connector and the second connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector and the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lead for a plasma arc torch, the lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end;
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a second connector disposed on the second end of the lead; and
a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis, engagement of the second connector and a first connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector and the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A plasma arc torch system comprising:
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a torch body;
a power supply;
a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end connects to the torch body, and a second end;
a connector assembly connecting the second end of the lead with the power supply, the assembly comprising a first connector adapted to mate with a second connector along a longitudinal axis; and
a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the first and second connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first and second connector. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for connecting and disconnecting a torch lead to a power supply for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
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providing a power supply comprising a housing;
disposing relative to the housing a first connector adapted to mate with a second connector;
providing a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end connected to a torch body, and a second end connected to the second connector; and
manipulating the first connector and the second connector relative to a locking member with one of a translational force or a linear force to engage or disengage the first connector and the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A power supply for a plasma arc system, the power supply comprising:
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a housing associated with the power supply; and
a first connector disposed relative to the housing, wherein the first connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway when the first connector is disengaged from a mated second connector. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A lead for a plasma arc torch, the lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end;
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a second connector disposed on the second end of the lead defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway when the second connector is disengaged from a mated first connector. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A plasma arc torch system comprising:
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a torch body;
a power supply;
a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end connected to the torch body, and a second end; and
a connector assembly connecting the second end of the lead with the power supply, the assembly comprising a first connector defining a fluid passageway and configured to prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway when the first connector is disengaged from a mated second connector. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for connecting a torch lead to a power supply for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
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providing a power supply comprising a housing;
disposing relative to the housing a first connector adapted to mate with a second connector;
providing a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end connected to a torch body, and a second end;
disposing on the second end of the lead the second connector defining a fluid passageway and configured to prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway when the second connector is disengaged from the first connector; and
engaging the first connector and the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A power supply for a plasma arc system, the power supply comprising:
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a housing means associated with the power supply;
a first connector means disposed relative to the housing and adapted to mate with a second connector means along a longitudinal axis;
a locking means causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the first connector means and the second connector means, the locking means causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector means and the second connector means.
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Specification