Patents by Inventor Jeffrey G. Wells

Jeffrey G. Wells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230061447
    Abstract: An anti-spatter spray containment system includes: an enclosure having a nozzle insertion orifice on a first side and a drain orifice on a second side of the enclosure; a spray nozzle configured to spray fluid toward a nozzle inserted into the nozzle insertion orifice, wherein the enclosure is configured to funnel the fluid in a direction toward the second side; and a baffle configured to block at least a first portion of sprayed fluid from the spray nozzle from exiting the enclosure via the nozzle insertion orifice, the first side configured to block at least a second portion of the sprayed fluid from the spray nozzle that is not blocked by the baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jagdev Singh Khakh, Jeffrey G. Wells, Bradley Eugene Whipple
  • Patent number: 11305371
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 11077515
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20210069817
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20210031294
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10882133
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10786863
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10710189
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180214973
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180214972
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180178307
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180178306
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 9770832
    Abstract: An adjustable cable fitting for a thru-arm cable of a robotic welding torch includes a female member formed of an elongated tubular body having a forward end, a rear end, and a through hole extending axially from the forward end to the rear end. The forward end includes a nose portion for connection to a welding cable. A male member is cooperable with the female member in a telescoping manner. The male member includes a shaft received in the through hole of the female member, a receiver connected to the shaft for receiving a power pin, and a through hole extending axially through the shaft and receiver. A nut is disposed on the shaft for locking a position of the shaft relative to the female member. Adjustment of a disposition of the male member relative to the female member varies an effective length of the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo N. Cossette, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20160279807
    Abstract: An adjustable cable fitting for a thru-arm cable of a robotic welding torch includes a female member formed of an elongated tubular body having a forward end, a rear end, and a through hole extending axially from the forward end to the rear end. The forward end includes a nose portion for connection to a welding cable. A male member is cooperable with the female member in a telescoping manner. The male member includes a shaft received in the through hole of the female member, a receiver connected to the shaft for receiving a power pin, and a through hole extending axially through the shaft and receiver. A nut is disposed on the shaft for locking a position of the shaft relative to the female member. Adjustment of a disposition of the male member relative to the female member varies an effective length of the power cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Romeo N. Cossette, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 8963046
    Abstract: A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular body having a forward end, a rearward end, and a central bore extending from the forward end to the rearward end. An elongated fixed tube is mounted in the bore. The assembly further includes an elongated tubular slide having an inner end, an outer end, and a shoulder proximate the outer end. The fixed tube is received in the inner end of the slide, and the slide cooperates with the fixed tube in a telescoping relationship in the bore. A resilient member is disposed in the bore and envelopes a portion of the fixed tube and the slide. The resilient member engages the shoulder of the slide and urges the slide away from the fixed tube and toward the forward end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Wells, Kenneth K. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8936210
    Abstract: A dispenser for drum packed welding wire comprised of numerous coils includes a circular lid having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is floatingly positionable on top of the packed welding wire. A frame extends from the upper surface. The frame includes a hub and a radially extending support extending from the hub to the upper surface. The hub includes an aperture. The dispenser also includes a de-coil conduit having inlet and outlet ends for guiding welding wire therethrough. The inlet end and outlet end are generally at 90° to one another. The inlet end is disposed to receive welding wire in the drum parallel to the coils, and the inlet end is moveable relative to the circular lid as the wire is fed into the de-coil conduit. The outlet end directs the fed welding wire to the aperture in the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun Ma, Jeffrey G. Wells, Romeo N. Cossette
  • Publication number: 20130119184
    Abstract: A dispenser for drum packed welding wire comprised of numerous coils includes a circular lid having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is floatingly positionable on top of the packed welding wire. A frame extends from the upper surface. The frame includes a hub and a radially extending support extending from the hub to the upper surface. The hub includes an aperture. The dispenser also includes a de-coil conduit having inlet and outlet ends for guiding welding wire therethrough. The inlet end and outlet end are generally at 90° to one another. The inlet end is disposed to receive welding wire in the drum parallel to the coils, and the inlet end is moveable relative to the circular lid as the wire is fed into the de-coil conduit. The outlet end directs the fed welding wire to the aperture in the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Tiejun Ma, Jeffrey G. Wells, Romeo N. Cossette
  • Patent number: 8373094
    Abstract: A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular main body having forward and rearward ends. An elongated tubular retainer including a shoulder is mountable in the main body. An elongated tubular piston including a shoulder cooperates with the retainer in a telescoping relationship in the main body. A resilient member is disposed in the main body and envelops a portion of the retainer and the piston. The resilient member urges the shoulders away from each other and the tubular piston toward the forward end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Wells, Kenneth K. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20110233179
    Abstract: A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular body having a forward end, a rearward end, and a central bore extending from the forward end to the rearward end. An elongated fixed tube is mounted in the bore. The assembly further includes an elongated tubular slide having an inner end, an outer end, and a shoulder proximate the outer end. The fixed tube is received in the inner end of the slide, and the slide cooperates with the fixed tube in a telescoping relationship in the bore. A resilient member is disposed in the bore and envelopes a portion of the fixed tube and the slide. The resilient member engages the shoulder of the slide and urges the slide away from the fixed tube and toward the forward end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Wells, Kenneth K. Pratt
  • Patent number: D735002
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Bondy, Darren D. Grey, Jeffrey G. Wells, Michael A. Sammons