Welding flash protection apparatus

• US 20070221636A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doug Monzyk
• Original Assignee: Doug Monzyk
• Inventors: Monzyk, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.630
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/065 use of particular optical filters A61F9/022, A61F9/062 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/006 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1087 Arc welding using remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R

Abstract

A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine with gas shielding is disclosed, the apparatus providing for delay of the welding flash thereby preventing the typically inherent fraction of a second delay between flash and lens darkening, hence protecting the eyes. The apparatus provides a complete helmet or apparatus components for fitment to an existing helmet. The apparatus provides a unique transmitter antenna mount for the shielding gas tank.

Claims

1. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine and a welding helmet with a photochromatic lens, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

a combined microprocessor/transmitter;

means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;

a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter;

a receiver antenna;

means for connecting the receiver antenna to the welding helmet;

a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the transmitter antenna communicates with the microprocessor/transmitter via wire.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the receiver antenna is affixed to the welding helmet via a receiver antenna mount.

4. The apparatus in claim 2 wherein the receiver antenna is affixed to the welding helmet via a receiver antenna mount.

5. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein the receiver antenna mount is comprised of:

a mounting surface, the mounting surface for attachment to the helmet;

two opposing spaced apart clips of the receiver antenna mount;

an antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;

a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of a circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the receiver antenna mount.

6. The apparatus in claim 4 wherein the receiver antenna mount is comprised of a plurality of receiver antenna mounts, each receiver antenna mount comprising:

a mounting surface, the mounting surface for attachment to the helmet;

two opposing spaced apart clips of the receiver antenna mount;

an antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;

a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of a circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the antenna mount.

7. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine with a shielding gas tank and a welding helmet with a photochromatic lens, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

a combined microprocessor/transmitter;

means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;

a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter, the transmitter antenna comprised of;

a metallic stalk;

a transmitter antenna end on the stalk;

a tank block for receiving the transmitter antenna, the tank block for affixing to the shielding gas tank;

a receiver antenna;

means for connecting the receiver antenna to the welding helmet;

a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens.

8. The apparatus in claim 7 wherein a transmitter antenna communicates with the transmitter via wire.

9. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein the transmitter antenna mount is magnetic.

10. The apparatus in claim 9 wherein the transmitter antenna mount is comprised of a magnetic polyhedron block.

11. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein the tank block is further comprised of a block V on a side of the polyhedron, the block V for contacting the shielding gas tank.

12. The apparatus in claim 11 wherein a side of the polyhedron block opposite the block V magnetically attracts the stalk of the transmitter antenna.

13. A welding flash protection apparatus for use with a welding machine with a shielding gas tank, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

a combined microprocessor/transmitter;

means for connecting the microprocessor/transmitter to the welding machine;

a transmitter antenna in communication with the transmitter, the antenna comprised of;

a metallic stalk;

a transmitter antenna end on the stalk;

a removably affixed transmitter antenna mount tank block for the transmitter antenna, the tank block for removably affixing to the shielding gas tank or the welding machine;

a welding helmet, the helmet having an outer circumference;

a photochromatic lens in the welding helmet;

a receiver antenna;

a plurality of receiver antenna mounts, each receiver antenna mount comprising;

two opposing sides;

a mounting surface, the mounting surface connecting to each side;

two opposing clips of the receiver antenna mount, each clip atop an opposing side;

a concave antenna receptacle between the two opposing clips;

a substantially circular receiver antenna, the receiver antenna having a length which encircles at least half of the outer circumference of the welding helmet, the receiver antenna for insertion into the receptacle of the antenna mount;

a signal device, the signal device connected to the welding helmet, the signal device in communication with the receiver antenna and the photochromatic lens.

14. The apparatus in claim 13 wherein the transmitter tank block is magnetic.

15. The apparatus in claim 14 wherein the tank block is a polyhedron.

16. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein the polyhedron is comprised of seven sides, the sides comprising:

an outside having a length and a width;

two opposing ends, each end having a length and a width, each end connected to the outside;

two slant sides, each slant side having a length and a width, each slant side connected to an opposite end;

a block V connecting the two slant sides;

two opposing sides, each of the opposing sides connected to the outside, the opposing ends, one slant side, and the block V.

17. The apparatus in claim 13 wherein the tank block is affixed with a plurality of magnets.

18. The apparatus in claim 17 wherein the tank block is a polyhedron.

19. The apparatus in claim 18 wherein the polyhedron is comprised of seven sides, the sides comprising:

an outside having a length, the outside fitted with at least one of the magnets;

two opposing ends, each end connected to the outside;

two slant sides, each slant side connecting to an opposite end, each slant side affixed with at least one magnet;

a block V connecting the two slant sides;

two opposing sides, each of the opposing sides connected to the outside, the opposing ends, one slant side, and the block V.