The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 14, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 12, 1996
Richard F Suzio, Canton, MI (US);
Michael S McFadden, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Ronald R Hendricks, Hazel Park, MI (US);
Progressive Tool & Industries Company, Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A pair of tongs position the first and second electrodes with respect to the workpiece while the tongs rotate with respect to one another about a pivot axis. A counterbalancing mechanism balances the first and second electrodes when in or in close proximity to, the welding position, where the electrodes compressively engage opposite sides of the workpiece during the welding operation. The counterbalancing mechanism is disposed with respect to the pivot axis for biasing one of the tongs in a rotational direction with respect to the pivot axis, such that the weld gun apparatus including the pair of tongs and tong actuator are balanced about the pivot axis when in the closed position. The counterbalance mechanism may include a torsion spring connected to the pivot pin defining the pivot axis. The biasing force of the torsion spring may be adjusted to achieve the desired counterbalancing force to balance the weight of the weld gun assembly about the pivot pin.