One-touch connection and disconnection method and apparatus

• US 20070082533A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Currier, Brian, Morris, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US11/394,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20070082533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/3423 Connecting means, e.g. electrical connecting means or fluid connections

Abstract

A first connector is disposed on a first end of a lead in a lead set for use with a plasma arc torch. The first connector is capable of engaging a second connector by causing a compression force in a second connector. The second connector compression force is caused by application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis. The second connector causes, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector. The second causes disengagement of the first connector upon application of a linear force applied along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and the second connector. The second end of the lead may also be connected to a power supply. Methods for connecting and disconnecting a lead are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A lead set for use with a plasma arc torch comprising:

a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end; and

a first connector disposed on the first end, the first connector capable of engaging a second connector by causing a compression force in a second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead.

2. The lead set of claim 1 wherein a second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

3. The lead set of claim 1 wherein a second connector further comprises a deformable member adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a depression force applied along the longitudinal axis to a second connector.

4. The lead set of claim 3 wherein a deformable member is adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a linear force applied along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and a second connector.

5. The lead set of claim 1 further comprising:

a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector via a locking member upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the lead, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

6. The lead set of claim 5 wherein the locking member further comprises a planar member adapted to disengage the third connector upon application of a linear force applied to the planar member at an angle perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.

7. The lead set of claim 1 further comprising:

a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector by causing a compression force in a fourth connector upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the lead, a fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

8. The lead set of claim 7 wherein a second connector and a fourth connector further comprise a first deformable member and a second deformable member adapted to disengage the first connector and the third connector upon application of a depression force applied along the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis to the second connector and the fourth connector, respectively.

9. The lead set of claim 8 wherein a first deformable member is adapted to disengage the first connector and a second connector upon application of a linear force applied along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and a second connector and a second deformable member is adapted to disengage the third connector and a fourth connector upon application of a second linear force applied along the second longitudinal axis to at least one of the third connector and a fourth connector.

10. The lead set of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first connector and a second connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when disengaged.

11. The lead set of claim 1 further comprising a second lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end;

and

a third connector disposed on the second lead first end, the third connector capable of engaging a fourth connector by causing a compression force in a fourth connector upon application of a translational force along a second longitudinal axis of the second lead, a fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

12. The lead set of claim 11 wherein the first connector comprises a first feature and the third connector comprises a second feature.

13. The lead set of claim 12 wherein the first feature and the second feature are one or more of color, size, material, weight, gender, and conductivity.

14. The lead set of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional leads each additional lead having a first end, a second end, and a body;

and

a first connector is disposed on each first end, the first connector capable of engaging a second connector by causing a compression force in a second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of each lead.

15. The lead set of claim 14 wherein a second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

16. A plasma arc torch system comprising:

a plasma arc torch member;

a second connector disposed relative to the torch member;

a lead comprising an elongated body, a first end, and a second end; and

a first connector, disposed on the first end of the lead, engages the second connector by causing a compression force in the second connector upon application of a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead.

17. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, wherein the second connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the longitudinal axis, disengagement of the first connector.

18. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, further comprising:

a power supply;

a fourth connector disposed on the power supply;

a third connector, disposed on the second end of the lead, is adapted to mate with the fourth connector along a second longitudinal axis; and

a locking member causing, upon application of a translational force, engagement of the third connector and the fourth connector, the locking member causing, upon application of a linear force at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector and the fourth connector.

19. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, further comprising:

a power supply;

a fourth connector disposed on the power supply;

a third connector, disposed on the second end of the lead, is adapted to mate with the fourth connector along a second longitudinal axis, the third connector engages the fourth connector by causing a compression force in the fourth connector upon application of a translational force along the second longitudinal axis, the fourth connector causing, upon application of a depression force along the second longitudinal axis, disengagement of the third connector.

20. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, further comprising:

a nozzle mounted at a first end of the torch member;

an electrode mounted at the first end of the torch member in a mutually spaced relationship with the nozzle to define a plasma chamber; and

a retaining cap mounted on the torch member and substantially enclosing the outer surface of the nozzle.

21. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, further comprising a shield having a central circular opening aligned with the nozzle.

22. The plasma arc torch system of claim 16, wherein the plasma arc torch member comprises a plasma arc torch and a coupler, and the second connector is disposed on the coupler.

23. A method for connecting and disconnecting a lead to a plasma arc torch, comprising:

manipulating a first connector disposed on a first end of the lead relative to a second connector coupled to the plasma arc torch, by performing at least one of;

applying to the first connector a translational force along a longitudinal axis of the lead causing a compression force in the second connector that engages the first connector and the second connector;

or

applying to the second connector a depression force along the longitudinal axis that disengages the first connector and the second connector.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

applying a linear force along the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first connector and the second connector; and

disengaging the first connector and the second connector.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the first connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when the first connector is disengaged.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the second connector defines a fluid passageway and is configured to prevent flow through the fluid passageway when the second connector is disengaged.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

disposing, relative to a power supply comprising a housing, a fourth connector adapted to mate with a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead; and

manipulating the third connector relative to the fourth connector with one of a translational force or a depression force to engage or disengage the third connector and the fourth connector.

28. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

disposing, relative to a power supply comprising a housing, a fourth connector adapted to mate with a third connector disposed on the second end of the lead; and

manipulating the third connector and the fourth connector relative to a locking member with one of a translational force or a linear force to engage or disengage the third connector and the fourth connector.